Chapter 9:
Three months later…
I sat at my dining room table, pouring over my notes from work. Or at least I was trying too. Jinx was jumping on and off the table, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her favorite person. Matthias. Bill went with his mother to pick the kids, which included my brother, up from the train station, so that I could spend some more time going over my speech for the potions committee.
No, Bill and I aren't back together. I forgave him, but I still need time to come to terms with him being around again. We've become friends again. We hang out. Do things for each other, like him picking my brother up and me cooking him dinner so he didn't starve. Well, that was more for Mrs. Weasley's sake than it was his. But he has always loved my cooking, or so he says.
Jinx had just knocked over my ink vial as the door opened and the boys strolled in. She freaked and launched herself at Matthias, purring so loud that the muggles two floors down could hear her. Matthias dropped his bag and cradled her in his arms.
He giggled. "Jinx! I missed you." I rolled my eyes, silently cleaning up the spilled ink with magic. Bill looked between us and laughed.
"It looks like we have a traitor in the mix." He joked, setting down Matthias' other bag down.
I nodded, waving my wand to clean up my notes. "She has been jumpy all day. I think that she knew Matt was coming home today."
Bill walked over to me, as if by instinct, wrapping his arms around me. "Well, you still have me."
I froze, looking up at him. I moved away from him as quick as I could, heading to the kitchen to get away from him. "Are you staying for dinner, Bill?" I call over my shoulder.
I heard him sigh, knowing that he looked hurt. "No, mum wants us all home for dinner tonight."
I sighed in relief, thanking Merlin that he was unable to stay. "Alright, maybe another night." I pulled out a roast for the fridge.
Bill came into the kitchen, only to lean against the doorway. "She wants you and Matthias there too."
I shook my head. "Not tonight. I just want it to be Mattie and me tonight. You know, sibling bonding time and all. Tell her that will be over for Christmas." I started to cut some carrots, ignoring his pained gaze.
He shook his head. "I will let her know. But I must warn you, you might receive a hallower from her."
I nodded my head. "I wouldn't expect anything less from your mum, mate." I put an emphasis on the word mate, trying to keep it friendly.
He sighed. "Well, I am going to head home. Don't want mum to start worrying and send aurors after me, mate." My heart broke. He sounded so hurt.
I nodded stiffly, "Give your family my love." I replied, stabbing an onion with my knife.
"Will do." He popped out, not bothering to say goodbye.
I sighed, continuing to make dinner. I listened to Matthias talk and play with Jinx in the living room, loving how lively the apartment has become since his arrival home. I had everything prepped and ready to be put in the oven, as he came into the kitchen.
He looked around, confused. "Where is Bill?" He sat down in a chair and started to peel potatoes.
I shook my head. "He had plans with his family, so he couldn't stay." I slipped the roast into the oven and set the timer.
Waving my wand to clean up the mess, I turned to face him. "You ran him off, didn't you?" He asked, interlocking his fingers.
I furrowed my brows. "Where did you get that?"
He sighed. "Mrs. Weasley said that you guys were getting close. I assumed that she meant you were getting back together."
I lost focus and a knife fell heavily into the sink. "When did she write you?"
He shrugged his shoulder. "Like two and a half months ago. She wanted to check on us, you know with that escaped convicted coming after Harry. She also wanted to bring me up to speed with all of the drama between you and Bill."
I pulled out two cups from the cabinet, almost slamming them down on the table. "I don't want you writing Mrs. Weasley, unless you are thinking her for the hand knitted sweater she makes you."
He went to talk about but was stopped.
"Silenco!"