"Table for two, please."

Bess smiled at the waitress and followed her to a small booth on the side of the restaurant, providing her with a grin as she put down her bag and sat. She'd woken up this morning, feeling as if the birds were whistling just for her. Her conversation with Fabian last night had given her such good dreams, and they passed on to her morning, and hopefully the rest of her day. There was just something about that boy that she couldn't resist, and even after she ranted and raved about him for hours, days, weeks, once Bess knew Fabian was smiling at her in that way...

She bristled in that good way, the shivers Fabian always gave her brought back to life at the thought that he'd be here soon. 12:25, she was a little bit early, but it couldn't be helped. Today was September 1st, and for seven years of her life (more, because of her siblings--) it had been the start of the new year for her. For most of the wizarding community! September 1st, head off to Hogwarts, make new friends, rekindle old relationships, and just be excited for what was to come. That's how she felt, right now. Fabian had picked a good day to try and woo her back; maybe the first of September will take on a new kind of meaning? Bess hoped so as she smoothed out her shirt.

12:28.

She didn't even know if this was going to go any further than they had already. Bess wasn't sure if she was ready to move back in with Fabian, but for the first time in weeks she had the feeling of hope that it could one day happen again. Fabian was the best thing that had happened to her in a long, long time, so---that was the reason she kept giving him chances. He'd made her happy when nothing else could.

Bess smiled to herself, pulling open the napkin wrapped around her utensils. Her eyes shot up and saw that the clock read 12:30, and as soon as it did the door jingled. Fabian, her mind shouted, and Bess leaned over and out of the booth to look to the door with the widest of grins on her face.

But it wasn't Fabian. Bess' eyebrows rose as her smile twitched from happy to confused at the sight of her sister Veronica, and...Alastor? Moody? Why was she coming in here with her creepy boyfriend? Veronica spotted Bess in the booth and her pace quickened, and Bess' heart stopped. For the first time she heard the noise of the wireless in the background of the restaurant...someone had turned it up as the news was reporting...

Attack on the Platform....two dead...

She blinked slowly as Veronica reached her booth, and shook her head before her sister could say anything. Bess wasn't sure how she knew, but she did, and her eyes darted back to the clock.

No, no---she'd give Fabian a few minutes to show up.

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Everything within three meters on top of the counter was rattling violently with each and every pound of the meat mallet. Bess threw every ounce of energy she had into her swings and twisted her mouth in annoyance as it did not seem to be tenderizing. No matter how hard she hit the damn chicken breast, it just didn't seem to be doing what she wanted.

"God---damn it," Bess let out loudly, forcing herself not to hurl the mallet across the kitchen. She had some sense, and settled with throwing it into the sink. The dent it left was going to be an issue to deal with later. Bess pushed what was supposed to be dinner across the counter, letting it join the mallet under the running water of the sink. She tried to ignore the footsteps that were coming toward her or the slight familiar tutting that often, involuntarily (and unnoticed) came out of her husband's throat.

Bess caught Drystan's reflection in the window above the sink and she looked away quickly, not willing to give up her rage because of him just yet. "I'm ordering pizza."

"That chicken looks fine," Drystan said, coming toward the counter and peering into the sink. Bess let out a quick breath through her nose and shrugged, moving toward the parchment to start writing out their order. They should get a phone, she hated wizard pizza it just didn't taste right. "It's a waste, everything's clean in here."

"Fine! Make the bloody chicken! I'm not doing it," Bess snapped, immediately feeling a twinge of guilt piercing her anger. She turned away quickly and found herself cursing her husband's quick reflexes as he grabbed onto her wrist. She ducked her eyes as Drystan took her other hand with his, keeping them close, "I just want---pizza, Drystan."

"Because the chicken is bad, and not because of the wedding invitation you got, right?"

Her eyes shot up angrily but she couldn't deny it. Bess' face heated deeply and she forced her gaze away from his. She thought she'd hidden the invitation well enough, but now Bess recalled that she had pulled it out from its hiding spot in another short fit of rage she'd had before Drystan had come home. It was probably sitting right on his side of the bed, announcing in gold, curly letters that Chester Scabior was marrying Florence Gibbon. Bess should be thrilled that her psychotic ex-boyfriend had found some other woman to obsess over and be with constantly, but she couldn't---

"She's pregnant," Bess muttered, feeling ashamed. Drystan probably thought she was jealous, or something, getting so upset about Chester's marriage. His grip on her hands didn't loosen, and Bess was finding it harder and harder to keep her tears at bay.

"You don't have to deal with the baby at all, no matter its relation to Sadie," Drystan explained. Bess let out a short laugh; he thought she was upset about Sadie having a stepsister, or brother. While the thought did irritate her greatly, Bess just shook her head. She knew that Drystan wasn't going to let her go without a proper explanation, but to get herself to admit---to tell her husband the reasons behind her irate behavior about her ex's marriage--

Bess shrunk into herself, for the first time in years feeling like that lonely girl on the platform, heartbroken because the man she thought she loved had denied her and the baby she was carrying.

"Why wasn't she good enough?" she let out, her voice hoarse already as her hands began to shake within Drystan's grip. Bess felt so stupid for crying, so stupid but she couldn't stop her tears. She couldn't look at him, he was probably insulted and--"Why wasn't---why didn't he want her? Why didn't he want Sadie? I don't---I don't understand---Why didn't he want her?"

"Stop, stop," Drystan tried to soothe as he pulled her to him. Bess crashed against his chest and cried, unable to stop the flood of emotions that had so quickly overcome her. When would she be able to move past that betrayal? It felt like it would always hurt, always make her feel like some old toy that had been thrown away when Chester hadn't found her interesting anymore. Bess couldn't press herself any closer than she was to Drystan, but his arms around her tightened in a calming manner, "It was him, not you, not Sadie---he passed up on you two, he was unworthy---"

Bess began to cry harder at the words, nodding against her husband's chest, knowing he was right. She wanted to tell him that she was glad that she hadn't found herself married to Chester, that she had pushed through the struggles and found Drystan, who Sadie loved so very much, but the tears kept falling as she clung to him. He'd understand, she was sure, but for now the shock of Chester 'doing the right thing' for Florence would leave her overwhelmed, taking some time to remember that she was wrapped in the arms of a man who loved her, who she loved, and loved her daughter like his own, like Sadie deserved.

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She flicked the side table lamp on and gazed dreamily at her engagement ring.

Bess couldn't believe that she actually had one, a ring, but more importantly she still couldn't believe that she was engaged. The thought made her bring her hand to her chest and turn onto her side to look over at the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with. Bess felt herself get tangled up in the thin white sheet (the quilt had been tossed to the floor at some point during their celebratory night) as she examined Drystan thoroughly. Her eyes were adjusting to the low light, and the more she stared, the more awake she felt. Bess had fallen into an exhausted slumber an hour or so earlier, but her mind was now spinning with excitement.

This meant--a million different things! This meant that Sadie was going to have a father, first and foremost. Merlin's beard, that was so, so amazing and her daughter had realized this right away and...Bess felt her heart swell even more and inched toward Drystan. This ring on her hand meant that she could run to this man whenever she needed, whenever she simply wanted someone to hold her and...she knew that she could trust he'd always be there to. Bess didn't know how she was so sure of this, as she had never been sure of anything in her life, but there was not a single doubt in her mind about Drystan's love and devotion for her, and her love and devotion to him.

Sigh. She loved being engaged.

Her nails slowly grazed across his chest, trying to lull him out of his slumber. It was nearing four in the morning, and they both had work in...oh, about two or so hours, but there was no way she was going to be able to go back to sleep with her mind and body so...well, aroused.

Bess pushed herself up, planting her hand on the other side of Drystan, hovering over him. Her hair fell down onto his face, and her smile grew as it tickled him awake. She didn't wait for him to register what was going on before she dropped down to kiss him, her hands tugging at the sheets around them to tear away at the thin barrier between them.

"I have practice," he mumbled into her mouth, but his hands seemed to be enjoying the wake up call as they had begun to wander. Bess hummed into the kiss, finally tugging the sheets away and happily pressing both of their quite naked forms together.

"You're the captain," she said, gasping in pleasure as she was rolled onto her back, her fiance now hoevering over her. Bess gripped at the back of his head, pulling him down to her. "Cancel it."

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"You're going to what?"

Bess stared pointedly down at her daughter, who was gesturing wildly toward Stephen Cornfoot. The pasta was simmering now, and while they waited for Drystan to be done in the shower, the two had offered to entertain Stephen. Sadie stomped a frustrated foot and let out in a shrilly voice, "Ima finda toy for da baby!"

With a sigh and a flip of her hair that showed she thought her mother was an idiot, Sadie stormed off into the hallway of Drystan's flat. Bess had no idea how her daughter was so sure of where everything was, seeing as she still felt like a stranger even though she had been over nearly every day for the past two weeks. It hadn't started out as something she thought would stretch out like this, but after the initial question of concern for her friend (Bess was certain she could call Drystan that, now) it seemed like she found a new excuse at the end of every evening to prompt another return the next day.

It wasn't intentional, it was absolutely innocent, of course. Bess felt no problem with giving up some of her time to Drystan, as he'd helped her, albeit a bit strangely with her flat's rent. It felt only right, really, and she did have a history with him--and attempting to repay him for his kindness. Sadie seemed to enjoy the attention he gave her, and she was certainly having a good time playing mummy to little Stephen. He was like a real doll, she had said, and Bess remained seated on the stool in the kitchen as Sadie returned with a rattle. She shook it fiercely in front of Stephen's face and Bess winced greatly as one rather hard shake, smacked Stephen straight in the forehead.

The baby began to cry, of course, and Sadie jumped back with a fearful expression. "I dinnit mean to!"

"Ahh," Bess cooed, dropping down to her knees to sweep up Stephen. She pressed a kiss to his forehead before looking down at Sadie with a slight frown, "I know, but you've got to watch it!"

"Tell 'im I'm sorry!" Sadie requested anxiously, leaning greatly into Bess' legs and tilting her head back to stare up at the baby. Bess nodded seriously, and with a quiet voice relayed Sadie's apology. Stephen fussed a little more but with the bouncing and the comfortable hold Bess had on him, he finally settled down and rested his head on her shoulder.

Bess smoothed down his hair and watched the boy stare down at Sadie. It was strange to think that he had no idea how much his world had changed in the past two weeks, but she felt good for being able to simplify it for him. There was no need for Stephen to have any more chaos than what the world had already handed to him, and Bess enjoyed the fact that she was doing something positive in this time of war.

"You're good with him."

She flinched at the sound of Drystan's voice, but not enough to scare Stephen. Bess was glad he'd startled her because her expression of surprise would be from his sudden appearance and not his---appearance. Didn't he know there were children in his flat? Walking out into the living room with just his shorts and his hair still very wet around his head? Bess forced her eyes to shut to get herself to look away from Drystan's rather astonishing physique, and she made sure to focus on Stephen when she finally trusted herself to open her eyes.

"I HIT STEEFIN IN DA HEAD!" Sadie exclaimed tearfully. Bess silently cursed her daughter as she watched the girl rush toward Drystan. Nooo.

"Did you?" Drystan asked, kneeling to get as close to eye-level with Sadie as possible. "Was it an accident? Did you apologize?" Sadie's head bobbed up and down in a great display of sorrow. Drystan slapped his knee, "Well, then. I suppose we should have ice cream."

Sadie spun around, her eyes wide with concern and eagerness. It was an expression her mother was used to, Sadie was very good at silently asking for permission. Bess would have laughed at how trained this child was, if it hadn't been her own daughter, "Yes, you can have ice cream. After dinner."

The girl shrieked and jumped into Drystan's arms, exclaiming that she hoped they had sprinkles in a mash of English and gibberish. He stood with little effort, Sadie happily resting clutching her arms around him. Bess found herself wondering how the hell her daughter was so comfortable around this man when she could barely look at him without flushing, but her thoughts were shut down completely as Drystan started into the kitchen.

He muttered, face turning close to the side of Bess', "Dinner and dessert? My kind of night."

Bess let him pass with Sadie talking his ear off. She stood for another moment or two, staring down at Stephen, who looked up at her with wide, confused eyes. It was almost like he was asking her the same question. What the hell am I doing here?

"You got me, kid," Bess answered, and turned to finish dinner.

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Bess stepped out onto the back porch raised her hand to shade her eyes. The wide and rolling fields of Ottery St. Catchpole were beautiful in the summer light, but her eyes were glued to the sky, where a pick up quidditch match was being played.

"Dinner!" she called, and as soon as she did the plates and food hovered out of the kitchen and out to the picnic table that had been set up. In the summer, even the cooling spells of the house were no match for the perfect evening's breeze. Bess sat in her usual seat and waited, watching as the game slowly came to a halt. That didn't mean her family was going to land, any time soon.

Her husband did, though, because he was a good husband and probably starving from being out all day. Bess pursed her lips at Drystan and he complied with a quick kiss before commenting on the delicious smell of the food. Her eyebrows rose with amusement as she watched him begin to set his plate, and Bess turned to watch the rest of her brood make their landings.

The lowest to the ground and the first to race to the table were the twins. Drystan hadn't been able to take a bite of his roast beef before he had to scold Aoife for grabbing onto Aidan's hair to slow him down in the race they were in. The six year old slunk up into her seat with a scorned pout on her face, and her brother hopped into his, glad that his pain had been avenged. When he was thoroughly distracted by his mashed potatoes, Bess caught sight of her husband slipping Aoife an extra pumpkin pastie to try and ease the scowl off her face. It worked, of course, as none of their daughters could stay mad at Drystan for long.

As if she'd read her mind, Dinah slipped onto the porch and darted to her seat. She ignored Aidan as he began to rattle off all the mistakes she'd made up in the air, and after a moment or two Dinah made a quick quip that at least her broom hovered more than four feet off the ground. Bess nearly snorted at the stern look Dinah was shooting at her little brother (did she remember that he was six?), but couldn't help but crack a smile at how bewildered Aidan looked at being told off. Aoife howled with laughter, of course, and waved her pastie around for her twin to see, as if wanting to insult him some more.

Of course Aidan grew to near hysterics at the sight of the extra pastie, and Bess' smile turned into a smug grin as her husband now had to break up this little tiff. There really was no winning when it came to pleasing the twins, and the only way to keep some sort of peace was to treat them as exact equals. Drystan did know this, and Bess could tell by the redness of his ears that he knew he'd made a bad choice with the pastie. Her eyes flickered from the bickering at the end of the table to Brian, who had landed behind his father and was now watching the twins squabble and who would have nearly clambered across the table to get at each other if it weren't for their father's stiff hands. Taking the initiative, Brian swooped in between his siblings and grabbed the extra pastie, popping it into his mouth and taking slow, enduring bites to finish it off.

He plopped down into the seat furthest away from the twins, of course, a smart move as it was to avoid getting kicked in the shins. Bess had to silently scold him, and it was barely a glare at that; he'd done it for the good of their dinner. Brian chewed the rest of the pastie noisily and began to serve himself. There was silence on the other end of the table as the twins accepted defeat, and Bess had been so focused on watching Aoife's hand creeping near the plate of pasties that Stephen asking her to pass the butter nearly startled her out of her chair.

Bess pushed the plate across the table and Stephen thanked her kindly. He offered to butter Dinah's roll along with the twins' (Brian had already devoured his), and waited for all of theirs to be done before he even thought about his own. As he went about with his new job, he let out a worried sigh, stating that the O.W.L.s hadn't come yet and that he couldn't take the wait any longer. What if he'd failed something? His entire schedule for the next year would be nothing like he planned! Before Stephen could lament even further, Brian groaned and reminded his brother that he hadn't received a mark below an O since first year, and should shut it.

Brian received a pinch in his arm for his language, but Stephen had a bit more color in his face than he had just seconds before. Bess knew that his O.W.L.s were going to be brilliant, but there really was no arguing against the worrisome Ravenclaw. She'd never known the stress that the smartest house could push upon themselves while she was in school, and now she had three Ravenclaws to console when their marks weren't as high as they'd hoped, to make sure that they were eating and sleeping during exam time.

Oh--wait, it wasn't three anymore.

Sadie had finished school this past June. One of her children was done with Hogwarts and was heading out into the real world. The impact of that suddenly reached Bess and she looked around for her eldest daughter. Sadie was nowhere to be found, and Bess frowned deeply. They needed to have as many family dinners as they could before Sadie went off and found a flat with a friend, or---maybe even with that boyfriend of hers, the Hooper fellow who got silly with admiration whenever he stepped into the house and spoke with Drystan. Sadie had been accepted into the healer program and was currently interning, but she always found time to spend with her siblings, with Bess. How long would that last, though? All of her children had grown up so fast, and now she was preparing to let one of them actually leave and move out on her own, in the real world that could be so cruel and dangerous---

"Mummy, could you braid my hair? I can't do it like you do."

Bess snapped out of her silent, self-induced panic attack at Sadie's request. Her daughter and taken the seat next to her and was sporting a huge pout as she pulled her hair out of its band. The look on her face had been the same since she was a toddler, a look that earned her extra ice cream and special toys on numerous occasions because Bess could never resist it.

She smirked, letting out a comment at how unruly Sadie's hair had become as she took hold of it. But Bess didn't mind it, of course, and decided that dinner could wait a little longer; her daughter's hair needed to be done, and she was the only one who could do it right.

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They hadn't made it back to bed. Bess blinked wearily at the sunlight that was beginning to seep through the balcony's curtains, lining the wooden floor of their living room with strips of day. One arm propped her head up, pressed into the arm of the couch that they'd dropped on. Bess' eyes dropped down, letting out a breath of slight relief that Drystan was still in a deep sleep as he laid against her, nearly on top of her.

He had been adamant about finding his sister last night after the fight, after the discussion, but Bess had managed to convince him that it wasn't a good idea. Her husband had been in no state to go alone, but she convinced him that she needed him home with herself and the baby. Stationing themselves on the couch right in front of the entry way was the best she could give him, and Drystan fought sleep for quite some time before Bess' soothing movements lulled him into a struggling slumber.

She'd stayed up a bit after Drystan had finally passed out, thinking, wondering, trying to figure out why this had all happened. Bess couldn't recall when she'd actually fallen asleep, but a plan of action had been formed before she did. Though, the only reason she was up now was because of the sun, and she shifted slightly to keep the rays out of her husband's eyes. Bess knew that once Drystan awoke he was going to either be in a frenzy or unable to do much of anything, so it was up to her to get the ball rolling.

Penny. She had to find out where her sister-in-law was, and if she was all right. Bess had no idea if the girl would actually want to talk to her after everything, but to at least know that she was okay would ease a lot of stress. She supposed she could owl Spinnet, but Bess really had no desire to speak to him; he'd been the cause of all this secret keeping in the first place, and she didn't think she would be able to control her temper with him.

But, then again. It couldn’t all be the man’s fault, could it? He’d only been in the picture since the summer. If Drystan had understood his sister correctly, then she’d been lying to them for over a year about what she was doing with her life. It seemed obvious now; Bess had always wanted to get lunch with Penny, but she’d always been ‘too busy’ or had forgotten. Her work schedules seemed strange, and…there was never much new to talk about. Bess felt guilty for being fooled so easily, but she had three children, she had her husband, she’d had her job and…

"Go back to sleep," she shushed, stroking Drystan’s head once again as he began to stir. His eyes opened and he looked up at her, the frown from his sleep fading slightly.

“I have to get up,” he muttered, not moving from his spot. Bess shook her head, and leaned down to kiss his forehead.

“You don’t have to do anything,” Bess said softly, but sternly. She was not going to let Drystan move off this couch until she deemed him ready, and as it was barely six o’clock, this man was not ready. She was going to owl his captain a very stern letter when she was able to move from this spot, and the United was going to have to deal with not having Drystan on the pitch. Penelope wasn’t the only one that had been hurt last night, and while Bess had always viewed Drystan as her strong and fearless husband, she’d seen a torment in his eyes that she refused to let go unacknowledged.

Drystan looked ready to protest but Bess’ hand went back to his hair and he relaxed. His eyes shut once more and he let out a breath.

“I’m sorry,” he said for what felt like the hundredth time.

“I know.” She’d accepted his apology last night, and would accept the next hundred he’d give her.

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It was the most comfortable sleep she’d had in months. Bess felt like everything that had lain so heavily on her shoulders had been lifted, never to be a bother again. She never wanted to wake up; that was her first thought as the inevitable consciousness of arousal overcame her. Her body stretched, even pointing her toes to get every last bit of her loosened from her deep slumber. A breath from the body lying in bed beside her was the final call of awakening, and Bess smiled slowly at the sight of Drystan Fawcett staring back. Last night immediately rushed back to the forefront of her mind, and she let out her own breath of happiness.

There was a kiss in the glow of a Christmas tree’s light, stumbling over boxes of ornaments, and their feet tangled up in the garland; getting caught kissing on the couch by her daughter and the embarrassment and rush of excitement it all brought topped everything off. Bess had never had a better first kiss, and after the two children were safely tucked away in bed, she knew she would never have anything better than Drystan Fawcett. They had been shy at first, wondering if they should discuss the impromptu snogging, but those discussions were interrupted with another go of kissing, and it wasn’t long before that they sank into Drystan’s bed and fulfilled the sexual tension they’d both been denying for months. Bess wouldn’t feel guilty for it. Drystan wasn’t a stranger anymore; he wasn’t just some bloke that she kept running into. This man had let her into his life when he needed someone the most and she’d grown to care for and adore him.

Drystan reached out, pushing Bess’ hair out of her face. His gentle touches sent her into a dizzy state and she reveled in his fingers’ lingering, languid movements against her cheek, along her jaw line, and then slowly down her neck to her bare shoulder.

“That was a very nice Christmas present,” she said, her eyes bright with reminiscing for the night. Drystan nodded, his hand having traveled down her side and to her waist. Bess didn’t resist as he pulled her closer and let her legs get tangled in his. Oh, could they just lie like this forever? She didn’t want to think about how Sadie would be awake soon, or how Stephen might already be sitting up in his crib. She just wanted to be in this moment with Drystan, knowing that this was the best night she’d ever had. How could she let it end by rejoining the world outside this bedroom door?

The urge to keep this perfect time going made her push forward to kiss him. It made her so excited to be able to do that and get a kiss in return, and soon their kiss went deeper, their hands eagerly explored once again, and their legs were tangled up in the sheets with all the twisting and motion. Bess felt hot in the most pleasant of ways underneath Drystan’s body, and she made to kiss him again when he pulled back from her. His eyes bore into hers, and for a moment Bess thought he was going to tell her that this was all a bad idea; the seriousness of his expression startled her.

“I love you,” he said, as if reassuring her that this night, morning, future, was not at all a dream. Bess imagined that he could feel her heart pounding through her chest as her entire body reacted to his words, and she barely nodded before whispering that she loved him too. She wasn’t sure how she knew so determinedly, but she hadn’t hesitated and felt a great warmth settle within her as a smile appeared on Drystan’s face before he leaned back down to kiss her again.

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The fireplace crackled, casting a warm glow across the living room. Bess’ legs were curled underneath her as she studied the man on the opposite end of the couch. Part of her knew that she should really be heading home, but she also knew that Adam and Sadie were probably asleep on the couch together and wouldn’t notice when she arrived back home. She could stay for a bit longer. Bess grinned, shaking her head.

“I don’t believe it. Astronomy club? Why would you ever...?”

Drystan let out a small laugh, his legs stretched out in front of him. He seemed to be at ease, which was a rarity given these past few weeks. Bess was glad to see it and she hoped that he really was feeling relaxed, and not just tired from the long day.

“My best friend was---is an astronomy nut,” he said, a smile creeping onto his face as he stared into the fire. Bess enjoyed when he smiled and felt herself leaning forward to get a closer look, “and the girl I was mad for was in the club as well.”

“Ooh!” Bess twisted on the cushion, getting up on her knees to take a more interested position. Her mind raced; this was the first time she’d actually heard about him talk about a girl he liked, and not one he was trying to avoid. “Details, now. What was her name? What year? I might know her, what house? Hufflepuff?”

“Someone likes to gossip,” Drystan responded, sitting up in surprise at her enthusiasm. Bess couldn’t tell if it was the light from the fireplace or if his cheeks had turned the dullest shade of pink.

“Details, Fawcett,” she said with a snap of her fingers. He pressed his lips together and after a moment let out a breath.

“Deidra Jugson, Ravenclaw. I used to pull her plaits.” He looked away as if he couldn’t believe he’d admitted that, and his expression made Bess laugh loudly.”It was Hogwarts! And she had two of them, how could I resist?”

“You were one of those boys,” Bess laughed dropping into the couch and finding herself a bit closer to him. She shook her head, imagining him in school. Bess wished she could remember more of him from her days at Hogwarts, but she’d always been wrapped up in this or that.

“Where’s Miss. Jugson now? I’m sure she wouldn’t mind you pulling her plaits these days.”

Drystan scowled, “She married a Gryffindor a few years older than me, she---” His voice dropped and his eyes went back to the fire. Bess’ brow furrowed, but before she could push for more, he spoke again, “She was killed last year, Deidra McKinnon.”

McKinnon. Bess held back her surprise and looked away, feeling foolish for asking for more information even though she couldn’t have possibly known of the girl’s fate. All she could think about now was how the girl Drystan had fancied in school had been killed by death eaters, that she’d managed to have the same fate as his family. She couldn’t imagine his mind hadn’t jumped to the connection, and she knew she needed to get off the topic.

“The first boy I fancied was Finn McLaggen,” she blurted. Her guilt for reminding Drystan of death eaters and their massacres overpowered her embarrassment. Bess flushed deeply and could not look him in the eye as he turned to her with a surprised expression.

“McLaggen?”

“I was a third year! And---he bought me a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks during my first Hogsmeade weekend, and that was it,” she said, putting her hands up. "I was in love.”

Merlin, she had never told anyone that story; as a thirteen year old it had been a precious, perfect moment that she was going to keep to herself forever. Bess put her hand to her face, shaking her head as Drystan chuckled.

“It was bad,” she admitted, remembering how she had collected pictures of Finn when he’d first gone professional, “But I doubt he even remembers me, let alone knows who I am.”

“Of course he does,” Drystan said, his voice low and stern. His tone startled her and Bess finally managed to look him in the eye. His intense focus on her made her heart do flips in her chest that it hadn’t performed in quite some time, “I don’t think anyone could forget a face like yours.”

Bess had a hard time holding back her smile. As if they were lost in a trance, she and Drystan held each other’s gaze for a few moments. She tried to read his thoughts and knew it was impossible, but she was glad to come up with her own theories. Bess didn’t particularly know what she was doing here, sitting on the couch of a man she’d found herself quite attached to, late at night without having to worry about being home. She found she didn’t mind that she didn’t know what she was up to, or what he was, and she relaxed into the couch, allowing herself to enjoy the ease in which they were able to simply be.

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“Helllooooo? Bessie Doreen!”

Bess blinked quickly, snapping out of her daydream. She immediately glared at her sister and let out a huff of annoyance. Veronica laughed and continued stirring the bowl of cake mix, eyeing her little sister carefully, “Looks like someone’s in a good mood.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Bess said, examining her nails from her position on top of the kitchen counter. She sat, legs crossed tightly, nose held high, obviously doing her very best to avoid her sister’s gaze. Veronica was known to read Bess like a book, and she had no desire for her perfect Ravenclaw of a sister to read her mind now.

“You came in here singing and dancing!” Veronica waggled her wooden spoon at Bess, splattering a bit of mix. “Did Fabian treat you to some dessert at lunch today?”

“Fabian? Who is this Fabian you speak of?” Bess said airily, picking at some chipped nail polish. “Do you mean that bloke I share a house with but hasn’t slept in our bed in over three weeks? Him? No, no. No dessert for Fabian.”

Bess looked away again, feeling a flurry of frustration flare up inside of her at the thought of her boyfriend, if she could even call him that anymore. She knew that with the Order of the Phoenix that he would be busy, which was fine, which she understood----but there were other members who literally had homes, wives, and children, and were still able to spend time with them, to come home to them at night. Fabian? No, he’d gone on some manic streak, it seemed, spending all his free time at their headquarters, wherever that might be. Maybe he was on a secret mission, but bollocks to Bess because he’d never let her in on anything like that.

So no, Fabian did not have her singing her favorite tune. Bess pretended to be unaware of her sister’s tapping foot, but she couldn't hold out for long. She twisted quickly toward Veronica, a mischievous look in her eye.

“A cute boy came into the office today,” she said, uncrossing her legs. Bess kicked out, thinking back to the subject of her daydream, “He was beyond cute, really, he was...” Bess let out a breath, suddenly feeling like dancing again. “He was beautiful.”

Veronica poured the cake mix into the baking sheet, though she kept an ear on Bess. “Is that so? Does this beautiful man have a name?”

He did, but she didn’t want to tell it. Bess rather felt like keeping Drystan Fawcett’s beautiful face all to herself, and so she just smiled slyly at her sister, who let out a great huff. Pleased, Bess dropped from the counter and crossed over to where the now empty mixing bowl sat. She went to stick her finger to swipe up some leftover mix, but Veronica’s spoon swatted her hand away.

“That hurt!” she let out, but a moment later had managed to take hold of the bowl. Bess kept it close to her chest, feeling successful in her pillage of Veronica’s counter. Her sister grumbled about ‘having too many cooks in the kitchen’ and used her wand to send the cake pan into the oven.

“You can at least tell me about him,” Veronica said, “Merlin knows I need a beautiful man in my life.”

Well, she can’t have this one, Bess thought hotly. It was more than likely that she was never going to run into Drystan again, but she reserved the right to claim him as her own, which meant that she didn’t have to share if she didn’t want to. Realizing that she sounded like her two year old, Bess sighed and relinquished some gossip.

“His picture should sit besides the saying, ‘Tall, dark, and handsome,’” Bess purred, finding a seat on a nearby stool. “He was in the offices today, and I swear I nearly lost my mind.” She refrained to mention that she’d believed she had ruined the chances of Drystan becoming one of Brady’s clients, and that a great portion of her mind loss was due to the fact that she was sure she was going to get fired, but. She had found herself quite stunned at how bloody handsome this bloke was. Bess certainly knew that not all quidditch players looked like that, and she wondered silently if she had somehow picked the short end of the stick when it came to her draft pick.

She continued to stare off into nothing, her mind reliving the short encounter over and over, noting her mistakes and how silly she must have looked in his eyes. Bess managed to not be completely devastated by her failure of a first impression by reminding herself that this was a once in a lifetime meeting. She could simply dream up any next encounter she and Drystan Fawcett might have.

“Helloooo, again,” Veronica called out, thrusting an apron into Bess’ face. The girl let out a yelp, nearly falling off her stool. “You’ve got a boyfriend, missy. Stop thinking about that beautiful man and help me clean up.”

Bess frowned, behaving as if she would do no such thing, but when Veronica’s back was turned she slipped the apron on over her head. Picking up a broomstick, she began to sweep up the flour on the floor, wondering what kind of cake Drystan Fawcett liked. Maybe she could learn how to make it, you know, just in case.


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Drystan praised his rather good genes for the gift of standing more than a head taller than his sisters. It kept their chatter nearly out of earshot, and if he focused on something in the distance it was like they weren't there at all. Of course, most of the time he had very good conversations with Sorcha and Penelope, but they'd been going on about this book they were both reading for the past half an hour and for a person who had not read the book, Drystan found the conversation a bit rude, if he were honest. He was here to show Penelope a potential flat that she and her friend Dianna may want to rent come the end of their seventh year at school, and here he was getting pushed out of any sort of conversation.

"What is wrong with this lift?" Drystan let out, staring up at the numbers above the firmly shut metal doors. They had to have been standing in the foyer of the complex for at least five minutes.

"It's your building," Sorcha inserted quickly without missing a beat. She tossed her hair over her shoulder triumphantly. "I suppose that means it's your problem, isn't it?"

Drystan's head dropped down to send his sister a pointed glare, but his eyes caught sight of something far more interesting than Sorcha's bow-to-me grin. He pushed between his sisters and strode toward the front door of the complex, pushing the glass doors open.

"Miss. Zeller," he said with a nod, holding the door open to give room for Bess Zeller, her daughter, and her rather large bag of what appeared to be groceries make their way through the door. Drystan put his hand out to the little girl, Sadie, and she slapped his open palm happily. "Miss. Sadie."

"Drystan," Bess said with a smile, adjusting the bags in her arms. "I haven't seen you in a while. I meant to thank you for fixing that leak."

This pleased him, as he had not been around in recent weeks to receive the thanks he had silently expected for his handiwork. Not only because he had done a very good job on the plumbing, but Bess' smile was rapidly becoming one of his favorite things. It was perhaps one of the few things he could get lost in, other than the golden tones of her hair, and the curve of her waist, and---

"Don't be rude, Drystan," a very, very amused voice called out, breaking the staring contest that had been going on between himself and Bess, "introduce us to your friend."

Drystan straightened immediately and his lips pressed into a thin line at the sight of Sorcha and Penelope looking the part of innocent-but-oh-so-curious bystanders. Finding himself not at as much at ease as he had been in the presence of Bess just seconds before, Drystan jerked his hand forward.

"This is the woman that stole your flat, Penny," he said. It took Drystan a moment to realize that was not the sort of introduction a woman might find amusing, but his sisters had already swarmed before he could make a correction.

"Drystan," Penelope said softly with a shake of her head. She was bent at the knees, catching a curl of Sadie's between her fingers, "I told you that place was too big for a small person like me." She straightened and looked at Bess with a beaming smile. "Don't mind my brother."

"Oh, I won't," Bess drawled, avoiding eye contact with Drystan. He scowled, but faltered as Sorcha swept little Sadie up in her arms, spinning the girl in a wide circle.

"What a cutie!" Sorcha exclaimed.

"Sorcha, you can't pick up children you don’t know," Drystan said lowly, put Bess put her hand on his arm and he stopped immediately.

"Sure I know her!" Sorcha said, stopping her spin and scrunching her nose against the little girl's. "This is Miss. Sadie."

"Your daughter is precious," Penelope added, smoothing down the girl's skirt. She cooed and let Sadie take the hat off of her head and place it on top of her own. It slid down over her eyes and they all shared a laugh. "I've always wished for a niece."

"You've got a perfectly good nephew!"

"He doesn't look very nice in dresses."

"I'm sure if we find the proper cut Stephen would look fabulous in a frock."

As the sisters went back and forth about Sadie's perfect curls, the shininess of her shoes, and how much fun it must be to shop for a girl, Drystan straightened up beside Bess, who hadn't taken her eyes off the women.

"They're a bit much sometimes," Drystan said, sure that Sorcha would disappear up the lift with the little girl if he didn't keep an eye on her. Bess shook her head and shifted her groceries to her other hip.

"They're lovely."

He looked back down at her and was only marginally surprised to see her staring back. As strained as some of their interactions may be, there was still this great sense within him to find out more about this woman, and Drystan was beginning to feel as if she harbored the same intentions.

"I need to unpack these," Bess said, giving her bag a little shake as the bell for the lift rang. Sadie slid down to the floor and rushed to her mother's side, and with short waves of goodbye the two blondes got onto the lift and disappeared behind the metal doors.

Sorcha and Penelope whirled on him the instant they shut like giggling furies.

"You were fixing her leak?" Sorcha asked with an oozing amount of salacious tones. Penelope's hands clasped together at her chest and she may have pushed up on her toes for a moment.

"Oh, if you two get married you'll have the most darling of children!"

"Marriage! Let the poor bloke get some action first, will you?" Sorcha said, causing Penny's entire face to burst into a flush of red. Drystan glowered and crossed his arms, though it was unsure even to him if he was more annoyed about his sisters' teasing or the fact that Bess had disappeared so quickly.

"Yes, well you two scared her off, so," he mumbled, jabbing his finger into the lift's button.

"Well, you gave her our lift ride, so," Sorcha said with a quick clap to her brother's shoulder. She grinned down at Penelope and nudged her little sister in the side. "Bess Fawcett does have a nice ring to it, though."

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