The incident at the Selwyn Manor was left unanswered, much to Ethan Selwyn's rage, due to the evidence brought on by the Vanguard against the Selwyn's. Even with his political reach, he was left almost speechless once the Ministry made it clear Damien was innocent, though he was having to use that same clout to keep himself and his son out of Azkaban. He did, however, leave his mark…
Damien had moved out of the house he lived in with Ashley and the kids after a few months, needing to find a way to get over her. Ashley was his world and then the children were born and the world expanded, but she was still at the center. He had the old house made Unplottable and locked up so only one person could enter, which he left to his old partner Ryan McTavish. There was a small house in Sussex County and got himself a small job as a pharmacist, one of the only jobs he could do easily with his advanced knowledge in potions and chemistry.
The Muggle world was still wonderfully oblivious to the Wizarding World. None of the workers at Brett's Drugstore knew that they had an Alchemist of the Vanguard in their midst. Heck, they didn't even know he was a wizard, and could easily destroy them with a flick of his wand.
All they knew was that the quiet, brooding man had appeared quite awhile back, supposedly after the death of his beloved wife, wanting to escape the life he'd made with her. During that time, he had proved friendly enough, at least in the eyes of James Hardin. James had found it easy to be friendly to Damien Kelmore, and had even found friendship in the man.
So it was that when Damien showed no signs of getting over his mourning, that James became concerned and decided to step in.
Enter Amy. Amy Gregory was a petite woman, with warm brown eyes and light brown hair. James happened to know that Amy had developed a liking for Damien, but was too shy to really talk to him. But James knew that if she could go on a date with Damien, it would make her day. And maybe Amy was what Damien needed to heal over his loss. As a friend, James wanted to do something to help.
Finally, one slow afternoon, James mentioned his idea. "Hey, Damien," he said nonchalantly. "You're friends with our coworker, Amy, right?"
Damien had spent the past 4 years trying to get over Ashley buy not using any alchemy or magic. Didn't help that his own children, Faith and Samael were both accepted and enrolled into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Since he first started his job as one of the main pharmacists at the drugstore, he was almost able to forget the stupid troubles he used to get in, but the one most important still remained. Ashley.
He had just finished helping a customer when his friend turned to him with an odd question, "I suppose. Get along just fine and she's kinda cute."
Jeremy grinned. Perfect.
"Funny you should say that. She thinks you're kinda cute too." He sidled up to Damien. "You know, I don't remember the last time you went out on a date, Damien. I think it's time you get out, have a little fun, get to know a nice girl. You should ask her out." He smiled winningly, hoping his friend would agree.
Damien turned his head to look at young woman being offered to him by Jeremy. Once he finished the pill order for an elderly man standing before him, he thanked him and handed over the bag, turning back to Jeremy to continue talking, "I dunno, Jeremy. It's been almost 15 years since I have had to 'woo' any one. I'm not completely over Ash yet either, can't get over her. Every time I look at my children, I see her in them and I'm just not sure it's a good idea to bring someone into my life with my children the age they are."
A middle age woman had walked up to the counter and cleared her throat, "Damien? I honestly think you deserve the happiness you once had. The stories you told me of Ashley, I'm sure you deserve to be happy for the kind of devotion you payed to her."
"Thank you, Mrs. Ross, but... I'm not sure I'm ready to date again."
Jeremy eyed Damien, not ready to give up yet. As Mrs. Ross spoke, he filled another prescription bottle for her, before sliding it across the counter to her, bagged and everything. "I think Mrs. Ross is right," he continued. "Anyways, how do you know you're ready to date again or not? You never really know 'til you go on at least one date...who knows? Maybe you'll like her, and your kids will like her. Or if not Amy, then another woman." He leaned against the counter.
"Come on, mate, live a little. How long has it been since Ashley… you know? Two, maybe three years?"
"Almost four."
"Four years is a long time...you've got to keep your charms in good condition." He grinned. "Please? Just one date...?"
Damien finished another order as he mulled the idea over before giving in, "fine, fine... on the condition that I pay. Just this once, okay."
Jeremy did an inward fist pump, the only outward sign of his victory being a large grin. "Great! You're a trooper, mate." He clapped Damien on the shoulder. "Amy's a nice girl...I think you'll like her."
Damien forced a smile, feeling as if he betrayed Ashley somehow by this. He looked back to his work, keeping his voice down as he spoke," yeah, right. Can you ask her to come here then?"
Jeremy nodded, and walked around the counter, calling to Amy. She looked up expectantly, and smiled shyly at Damien as she walked over. "Hey," she said. "Did you guys need something?" Every so often, she would glance at Damien quickly.
Just as Jeremy was nudging Damien, a bell rang, indicating a customer. Jeremy sighed, and went to go help the young woman that had entered.
She peered through her hair, her eyes alighting on Damien. For a moment, her eyes dulled with sorrow, before they sharpened. The woman took in the slightly ill-looking expression on Damien's face, then at the blushing young woman, then to the grinning Jeremy who was watching them. In an instant, she guessed what was going on.
'Not on my watch,' she thought.
"Damien!" she said loudly, marching over to him and subtly moving between him and the other woman. "I've been looking everywhere for you." Meghan's eyes twinkled with amusement, as she lightly touched his arm, hoping to send a message to whoever this other girl was. "So, I've been doing some thinking about our little fight, and I just want to say...I forgive you, and I'm sorry for being so rude to you. I hope I can make it up to you? Maybe buy you dinner or something?"
Out of the corner of her eye, Meghan noticed the other male clerk's confused expression, then at the other woman's suspiciously blank face. She turned her gaze back to Damien, willing him to remember her.
Damien stuttered over his words before he could catch himself, clearing his throat to begin again, "well... Amy. I wanted to know if..." but his words were cut off by the sound of the door bell ringing. He took a quick glance then turned back to Amy, but instead of seeing Amy, he was staring at a face full of Meghan.
Calmly, though his inner thoughts were to scream, he gave Meghan a slight nudge towards the door, giving a low chuckle and an awkward smile, "hehe. You're such the kidder, Meghan. Can I talk to you outside?" He grabbed her arm and headed towards the backdoor.
Meghan's cheerful expression dropped for a moment, but she was then nodding vigorously, the bright smile back on her face. "Sorry," she said apologetically to the other woman, not really meaning it. As soon as the door had closed behind them, Meghan whirled to Damien, keeping a smile on her face for the benefit of Jeremy and Amy.
"That had better not have been what I think it was," she said slowly. "I'd like to think I rescued you...or did you want to be in that situation?"
"I honestly believe that that is none of your business. I was just having a conversation with a coworker, if you must know. What in he'll are you doing this far out into the muggle world anyway?" He said, reaching into his pocket for a small box of cigarettes, pulling one out along with a matchstick.
For a moment, indignant anger flashed in Meghan's eyes, but she shrugged it off, instead watching distastefully when Damien pulled out a cigarette. He'd changed so much from the man who'd married her best friend, she thought.
"I came looking for you," she said after a moment. "It'd been awhile, and I wanted make sure you were alright. Good thing I did too. Kept you from making a mistake. Unless that was your way of being alright." Meghan folded her arms.
"One could say that this is me still mourning. It's been four years, Meghan. Everyday I'm alive brings one more day that I have to miss her with everything that I am." He said taking a long drag and blowing away smoke. "Everyone seems to think I could use the extra bit of sanity by... well dating again."
Meghan crossed her arms. "I know," she said simply. "I loved her like a sister. I may not know exactly what you feel...but I know it's painful." Her eyes were sorrowful for a moment. "But you can go on living your life, without forgetting her. The pain fades eventually, leaving you with happy memories to live on." She frowned. "And since when do you let others tell you what's good for your sanity? One, you've never been sane; you went against one of the most influential wizards, for Merlin's sake! Two, will dating another woman really help?" She glanced at the store. "I mean, if you know that woman well, then fine. By all means, date her. But do you ever talk to her? Like you talked to Ashley? I'm all for you dating, Damien; maybe it would help. But wait for a girl that's worth it to come along." She inspected her nails. "Don't just date someone because your friend told you to."
Damien took in more of the cigarette, flicking the butt into the street before turning on Meghan, "You have no idea what it's like for me, do you? I don't think anyone has a fucking idea of what I've had to go through. Every. Night. I haven't had a good night's sleep in 4 years and that last fight I had with my in-laws left me kind of scarred up as they tortured her soul right in front of me, if it really was her. I smoke not because I enjoy it, but because it keeps me from hyperventilating, so I really don't smoke all the time. My day consists of dropping Alexander off in the morning to my mum and dad's, coming here until about 6pm, grab Alexander, make dinner, put him to bed and working until I fall asleep in my office; all because I can't sleep when Ash isn't around."
"I have every right to just be at peace for once... whether that's getting a good nights sleep or keeping my friends and coworkers off my back because they want me to date someone so I don't look so perturbed. Tell me Meghan, do you actually know what I'm going through or are you just trying to help me for your own sake? I'm sure you don't remember what happened at Hogwarts."
Meghan's eyes flashed first with anger, then confusion. "What happened at Hogwarts?" she echoed. "When Aaron attacked you and Ash? I remember that..." Again, anger flared in her eyes. "You don't think I've suffered too, Damien? I knew Ash way before you did; we were like sisters! You aren't the only one who loved her, Damien. We were close. I don't know why we weren't as close during seventh year, but before you came along, we were inseparable." Tears flooded her eyes now, and Meghan resisted the urge to storm away childishly.
"I know you miss her, Damien, and I know you loved her enough that you can't function the same without her...and she would have been the same way." She jabbed a finger towards the drugstore window. "That's why I'm stopping you from talking with this woman. If it's only to get your coworkers off of your back, then that's the wrong reason. One, it will end up hurting that poor girl when the relationship dies, having raised her hopes for nothing. Two, it could potentially hurt you too. I'm not doing this for myself; I'm doing it for Ashley. She wouldn't want you to make a mistake, and end up even more despondent because of it." The tears flooding her eyes began to fall, and Meghan roughly wiped them away. "I'm the only one that cares enough to look out for you, Damien. Ashley's family hates you, and everyone else is too busy moving on with their lives, to make sure you're okay, like Ash would have wanted. But if you're going to be such a git, then maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I should just walk away, and let you make mistakes, and let you wallow in your grief, and let your kids grow up with a depressed father." Angrily, Meghan whirled around, turning her back to Damien, hiding her tearing eyes.
He reached over and grabbed Meghan's shoulder, turning her around slowly, "Meghan... I'm sorry. Things have been hectic... I understand what you're saying. Come here, please…"
Meghan tensed when she felt him grab her shoulder, but she then relaxed slightly. She was still wiping her eyes roughly, as she turned around. "Why do you do that?" she whispered. "Why do you lash out at the people who are trying to help you?" Pain flickered in her eyes. "You make it seem like I don't miss her enough...that I don't hurt enough."
"I honestly don't know anymore. I'm having such a hard time that it's been a struggle. I just push people out so that I don't have to deal the pain of it all."
Meghan dropped her gaze, staring at the ground blindly. "That's the fastest way to becoming bitter," she murmured. "And by letting people in, I've managed to heal enough." She looked up. "Did you know I couldn't bear the idea of seeing you again? I didn't think I'd be able to handle it. But I talked to someone who gave me comfort when I needed it. That comfort helped me to get to the point where I was strong enough to say her name, without breaking down. And now...here I am. I'm talking to you, and the only reason I'm upset now is because you've changed."
He looked to the floor, holding back a tear and reaching for his cigarettes. As he reached for his lighter he second guessed himself and snapped his fingers, sparking a small flame at the tip, "I haven't done that in years... magic or alchemy. I'm so sorry Meghan..."
Meghan managed to pull herself together, drawing in a deep breath. "You shouldn't be doing anything of the sort in the open," she said quietly, turning away from him. "I know you're sorry...but sorry is just that. An apology. It doesn't change the fact that you've completely lost who you were...who Ashley helped you become." She turned anguished eyes on him. "Once I'm gone, is everything I've said going to go to waste? Are you going to go back to leading your now-meaningless life? Or are you going to live it like Ashley would have? Trying to make the best of each day, and trying to be strong for your children?"
Damien remained silent for a moment, not bothering to light his cigarette, "stop by tomorrow, at my house. I'll make dinner, but this is something I need to talk to someone about."
Meghan sighed. "I'll be there," she said slowly. "What time and where do you live?" She glanced at the drugstore, noting how the people inside had finally turned away, and hopefully had not seen the flame flickering on Damien's fingertips. "I'll be more than happy to talk to you," Meghan murmured quietly.
"About 30 minutes from here... I can write down the address for you," he said grabbing a pen from his sleeve and a small notebook to write his address, "It would be best that come early afternoon"
Meghan accepted the address quietly. "I'll be there," she promised softly. "Do you want me to bring anything? And are there any Muggles around to keep me from Apparating there?"
"Not really, but just to be safe, Apparate into my back yard. The backdoor will be open so you can just walk right in." He whispered as he passed over the strip of paper into her hand.
"I gotta get back in there, or everyone get suspicious."
Meghan nodded. "I will see you tomorrow," she murmured. She began to walk away, before calling over her shoulder, "Oh, and Damien? I don't think she's the kind of girl for you. She's too sweet looking. Find a real spitfire...that is more up your alley." With a small smile, she disappeared into a nearby alley, a loud crack the only sign of Apparition.
He smiled slightly as he put away his cigarette and walked back into the store, straightening up his smock and pulling out a piece of bubble gum. Once he was prepared, he unlocked the pharmacy door and walked over to Amy, "hey. Can we talk?"
Amy turned, from where she'd been stocking the shelves. She looked up at Damien with wide eyes. "Of course...do you want to talk outside, or are we fine here?" She smiled slightly.
"Right here is fine. Let's go out tonight, like right after work. Screw getting fancy and let's go to pub or something."
Amy blinked. Okay, so it wasn't as romantic as she'd hoped...but it would do. "Y-yeah sure," she said, recovering quickly with a smile, "That sounds alright. Where is this pub? Is it a decent place?"
"Well, uh… its not a fancy restaurant, but it is respectable. I mean if you would like to go to a fancy restaurant, then we can, but I was hoping we could try something different. You know what? Let's go to my house. I'll cook you something."
Amy shrugged. "I don't mind," she said, smiling. "Dinner at your place sounds wonderful." And a lot better than a pub, she thought privately. "So...after work then?" She blushed slightly, looking down. "Yeah. After work, if that is fine with you. Oh, and don't worry about that lady that came in today, she was a friend of my late wife's that is just trying to look out for my interests." He grabbed her hands into his, giving a happy squeeze and a smile that no one at the store had ever seen on his face. He took in a deep breath and shook his head, chuckling for some reason, "whoa. Never thought that I could feel real again. Never thought I could feel this good in a long time. I feel different... like I don't... I need to get back into the swing of my old routine."
Amy smile nervously at first, then her smile brightened. "That's a good friend, if she's checking in on you. She seems to have done some good already." She smiled even wider as he took her hands, giggling a little. "I'm glad you're feeling happier," she said shyly. "You have a nice smile."
"Thanks. I'll catch up with you when we're off. Got a line forming out in front of the window there."
After Work
Damien looked for somewhat fashionable clothing to wear when he came across a black tunic he had from years back. He slipped it on and fussed with his hair a moment before running back downstairs to finish cooking.
Amy looked up as Damien reentered the kitchen, and let out a near-silent breath of relief. She felt slightly awkward just hanging around doing nothing, especially when alone. "Do you need help with anything?" she asked, giving a small smile. "Or no? You look nice by the way."
Damien smiled and tried to fix his appearance a bit, picking up the spatula to turn the shrimp, "I have the food in control, though if you'd like, you can go to the rack over there and choose a wine? Whichever you prefer will be fine with me."
He reached for a lime and some salt cutting it open with a knife and spraying juice all over the pan, "I hope you didn't mind me being so outright. Just something Meghan said to me that made me think. I hadn't known you'd had a fancy for me until Jeremy said so and well, let's just say its been a while for me since I've ever had to ask anyone out on a date.
Amy smiled, and moved to the wine rack, finally picking out a white wine, before coming back to the counter and setting the bottle down. "It's alright," she said, blushing slightly. "I'm rather glad Jeremy broke his vow to keep silent though...this is nice, even if it is sudden." She smiled. "So...is Meghan an old friend?"
"Yeah," he said with a sigh," my late wife and I knew her back in grade school. When I came into the picture, Meghan tried to split me and Ashley up so she could have me to herself. Didn't really work to her favor though. A lot of things happened between then and now. Kind of miss those times, you know. So, tell me, what brings a charming girl like you to work at such a hole in the wall. Sure you coulda gotten a job at some big company or larger drug store?
Amy made a face, but quickly covered it up with a smile. "I'm glad you worked everything out," she said sweetly. "Drama like that is never good." She looked down at the food he was cooking. "Well, my uncle used to be a druggist, so I started working in his drugstore, then moved on. I always liked the idea of a friendly neighborhood pharmacy, so I applied for a small drugstore, as a clerk. And here I am." She laughed slightly. "So...do you have a background in pharmaceutical products?"
"Something likes that. I was in the military for a while before I came into the business of pharmaceuticals. I was referred to it by a friend."
Amy raised an eyebrow, impressed. "A military man," she said in an admiring tone. "What rank did you hold?" She leaned forward, propping her elbows on the edge of the counter.
"Tactical officer. Special ops, if you must know. Did a lot of bad things when I was younger, then they uh, had me train new recruits. I wont lie, I enjoyed the work, but once Ash was sick..." he broke off, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Dinner's done. Let's eat."
Amy nodded, slightly uncomfortable when he spoke about his late wife. She was gone; so why wouldn't he just let go and move on? She nodded. "I can help you carry the dishes over," she offered, eager to get away from the subject of his wife.
With her help, he moved the food over to the table, decorated simply with a few irises from the garden and a pair of candles. Damien set the remaining food on a tray on the table, then pulled Amy's chair out.
"I had called my parent's to make sure they wouldn't mind taking care of my son until tomorrow. Alexander just loves it with his grandpa and grandma."
Amy flashed him a grateful smiled when he pulled her chair out. "So, tell me about your children?" she asked softly, sitting. "How old are they again?" She waited for Damien to sit, looking over at him.
Damien took his seat across from her, pouring a glass of wine for her, "Alexander is six years, getting big he is. Then there's Ashley Faith and Samael, my twins; their fourteen. Hardly get to see them because they're at a boarding school.
Amy smiled. "They sound wonderful," she said. "Are Ashley Faith and Samael starting to hit that difficult patch most teens go through? Are they doing well in their school?"
"From what I know, Faith has had nothing but the best time at school, Samael however is having a bit of a problem. Its been like that since their mother died, so I have been trying to help him through that. He gets into a lot of fights." He took a forkful of pasta and shrimp and took a bite, savoring the flavors. He gave an approving hum, finished his bite and continued, "from last I heard though, Faith said she found a boyfriend and she can't wait for me to meet him
Amy chewed thoughtfully, also enjoying the food. "This is tasty," she complimented, before returning to the subject. "I'm sure Faith is thrilled with the idea of having a boyfriend," she laughed. "The first boyfriend is always exciting. But Samael...does he not have friends that can help keep him in line?"
"I dunno. I hardly ever hear from him. Most of what I hear about him comes from Effie. She says most of the kids in his dorm tease him. I remember having to fly out to the school to handle some pretty nasty business involving a few kids getting sent to the infirmary."
Amy looked sympathetic. "I'm sure he'll come around eventually...have you considered asking to have him put in a different dorm?"
He looked up from his meal to take a sip of wine, "I have and the headmaster has looked into it. It really doesn't matter which dorm they move him to, he's just brash. I think once this school year is finished, I may end up having to home school him.
Amy nodded. "It must be difficult," she murmured picking up her glass and swirling it. "But he's got to go back to normal before too long. Maybe he just needs to find a friend. That's what usually happens," she smiled, sipping her wine.
He smiled, gazing deep into Amy's eyes, searching her feelings and thoughts. After a few moments of silence, he spoke up, "so what brought a fancy for me to you, if you don't mind me asking? I must admit, you have gorgeous eyes.
Amy blushed. "Well, you are very attractive, which first caught my eye. Its also not very often that you meet someone who has white hair at so young an age," she admitted. "And, I kind of wanted to know what it would be like if I could make you smile. You have a very nice smile," she added. "Plus, you looked so sad...I hate seeing people sad."
"My hair is a genetic thing. Most of my family has it; we grow up with white hair and as we get older, it turns dark. And the kind of work I did when I was younger, it wears on you greatly. I'm surprised I have been able to smile for anyone other than my children."
Amy nodded. "I'm glad I can make you smile," she said happily.
Once dinner was done, Damien picked up the dishes and leftover food, leaving it in the kitchen for the morning. He went back into the living room and looked over Amy with a smile, "I know this wasn't much of a date, last minute and all, but, maybe you'd care to dance?"
Amy smiled. "Oh, this was just fine," she said reassuredily. "A dance would make it even more perfect." She laughed, twirling a little. "Dancing is a great idea."
Damien walked to a small desk and flipped through a collection of LPs that he had, pulling out some smooth jazz out. He slipped out the LP and placed it on the record player, turning it on and walking over to Amy with a smile, "shall we dance?"
Amy smiled coyly, as the music filled the air. "Yes, we shall," she said with a gentle laugh, offering her hand, to allow herself to be led into the dance
Damien took her hand and pulled her close, taking a few steps before twirling her and leading into a dip. As he picked her back up, she was drawn in closer than he thought she would have been, leaning in to give her a soft kiss.
Amy giggled softly as he pulled her in close, but her breath was quickly drawn away, as he twirled her. Suddenly, his face was near hers, and his lips touched hers softly.
She had thought he would never notice her, but to find herself kissing him...it was more than she could ever dream of. She closed her eyes, returning the kiss softly. This was perfect...
He felt her lips press back against his, pulling away after a moment to be able to catch his breath. "Wow... that was... was great! Should we do that again?"
Amy smiled shyly at him, catching her breath as well. "I know," she murmured. "I really, really like you, Damien," she breathed, before pressing her lips against his once more.
"I know... I like you too. " He said between kisses, running a hand across her back, "are you ok with this?"
Amy nodded breathlessly, as he kissed her back. Her hands came up to tangle in his hair as they kissed, and she held him close to her, pressing nearer to him. "I'm more than okay," she whispered.
He danced and kissed her harder, working towards the stairwell, tripping onto the stairs with Amy on top of him. "This is crazy. Never thought that I'd be doing this again."
Amy nuzzled his neck as they tripped, and she propped herself slightly up, so she wasn't pressing him into the stairs. "Never thought I'd get you to notice me, and yet here we are," she said coyly. "I can do more than just make you smile..." She kissed his jaw gently.
Damien smirked as he rolled over, "if we're really going to do this, let's go upstairs."