Okay, I've got two chapters written to publish before I go away on Tuesday… let's hope I can type fast enough!
Chapter 9: Christmas
K stood stock still, hands clasped behind his back to stop them from fidgeting. He knew it was a mistake to come early, he had been waiting for ten minutes already…
"Kevin?"
He jumped as though he had been shocked. Not that voice, not here…
"Kevin, is that you?"
"Shit," he muttered. He turned around, and there, in all her glory, was Elizabeth.
"Hi," he said. "Fancy seeing you here.
"Friend of me invited me to stay," she explained. "What about you? Why are you here?"
"I live here, in this city."
"Oh, so that's where you disappeared off to," she said, smiling. "We all wondered. It was like you'd vanished into thin air. Again."
He had no answer for this, so just shrugged.
"We should catch up," she continued, oblivious to his discomfort. "Maybe we could go for coffee sometime?"
"Liz…" sighed K. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, and repressed the urge to look down at his feet like a nervous schoolboy. "That's not really a good idea."
"Oh. Are you – are you with someone else now?"
"No, but it's… complicated."
In a different section of the station, Epsilon was scrambling to his feet after another disorientating portkey ride. He thanked the wizard who had collected him, swung his holiday backpack over his shoulder, and raced out of the faux cleaning cupboard into the main part of the station. As he walked, he allowed his mind to reach out, looking for his father. After a moment's searching, he found him.
"No, Liz, you don't understand. I'm waiting for someone. NOT a girl."
The woman he was with laughed. "It's okay, Kevin. We agreed to just be friends. I'm not angry."
"No, Liz…"
"Hush," she said, placing a finger on K's lips. She tore a page out of a little pocket diary, and wrote down a telephone number. She pressed it into his hand.
"Now, you call me, and we'll arrange that cup of coffee. You can bring the girl, if you like, the one you're not waiting for…"
Epsilon could see them now.
"Daddy!"
K looked up, and his son yelled a second time.
"DADDY!"
He grinned, turning away from his ex-wife just in time for Epsilon to run and jump into his arms. Elizabeth's jaw dropped.
"Hey there, sport" said K. "How's school."
"Meh," shrugged Epsilon. "School's school, y'know?"
"Uh huh," said K disbelievingly. He shook out his arms. "You're getting heavy, kid."
Epsilon chuckled. "Must be the school food. Now…" he turned to Elizabeth, who couldn't believe her eyes. "Shall we?"
As one they donned their sunglasses.
"Kevin, what's going on?"
K flashed his neuralyzer, and they walked swiftly away. Epsilon pretended not to notice his father slip the telephone number into his pocket.
XXX
Christmas morning dawned bright and cold. In Malfoy Manor, everyone was standing on ceremony. Draco dressed carefully in his best robes, and walked sedately downstairs to join his parents, who were already waiting by the small Christmas tree.
"Merry Christmas mother, father."
The settled down at various points around the room, and exchanged gifts. As usual, Draco received clothes, books, handkerchiefs… at the bottom of the pile; two oddly-shaped packages caught his eye. Draco pounced on them, knowing they were from his friends. The first one was brightly wrapped, but the second was covered with solemn black paper.
"A football!" he cried, ripping them open. "And toy soldiers!"
He prised open the plastic tub, completely forgetting his parents, who were watching in astonishment. He held up a plastic figure reverently.
"Um, Draco…"
"C'mon, father, I'll show you how to play…"
Draco began talking excitedly about foot soldiers, tanks and aeroplanes, oblivious to his parent's confusion. Lucius Malfoy quickly realised that they were muggle toys, and was about to deliver a crushing put-down…
Until he saw the expression of pure joy on Draco's face.
He did have a heart, after all.
XXX
Dear Epsilon,
My father bought me an owl for Christmas! So I'm using it to write this message to you. But I was wondering, do you have an e-mail address? I know that computers don't particularly like you, but it would make it easier to communicate. So anyway, if you do, just drop me a line at JustinFF .uk. Otherwise just owl me.
Things are a bit boring here at home, I bet it's a lot more exciting where you are. My parents seem to have decided that my brother (who got offered a place at Eton) is now their 'prodigal son'. I don't mind too much, it's just annoying when they seem to forget that there are two boys in the house. I can't wait to go back to school.
Thank you for my new pens, I've attached my gift to you to the owl, which I've decided to call Zeus. I hope you enjoy it, you will have probably guessed what it is already. DON'T leave them lying around for people to eat!
Please write back, and I'll see you soon!
Justin.
XXX
To: JustinFF .uk
From: BrownInBlack
Dear Justin,
You're right. Things are certainly a lot more exciting at this end. Where I am, we don't really make a big deal out of Christmas, but we have fun all the same. I love my present, so thank you! However, my dad made me promise to pack them away until I go back to school.
I gave my dad a mirror for Christmas. It is one of a pair, and can be used to communicate, rather like a webcam. I had to check that it would work for him, as he is a muggle, but I also discovered that they make three-way ones as well. That may be something to think about for the summer holidays.
For my gift, my father announced that he will be teaching me to drive! There were a few worried faces at this, but I'm sure it will be okay…
XXX
"Okay," said K. "Let's try this again, slowly, shall we?"
Epsilon nodded, grinning.
"Now, carefully lift the clutch, and press the accelerator until you find the bite point."
Epsilon did as he was told, and the car began to inch forwards along the tarmac of the underground car park.
"Now, press gently on the throttle to go a little faster."
Soon he was trundling along quite nicely.
"This is good," smiled Epsilon, feeling the tension rolling off his father in waves. "Can I try second gear?"
K nodded, gripping his seat.
"Alright, but no more. I'll take you out this summer, find a dirt road somewhere with nothing to crash into… MIND THAT CAR!"
He yanked the wheel to guide it properly around the wheel, and stop it from clipping a parked car.
"So…" said Epsilon. "When can I try hyper speed?"
"When I'm dead and buried, kid."
