The snowfall didn't let up in the least over the break, and when Lucas
and I boarded the train to London, the snow was a good feet thick on
the ground. The days were so short that we only had a few hours of
daylight before darkness fell again, and since Lucas wanted to make use
of those hours, we'd hastened to the train. Before we left, Theo had
given me a wrapped parcel, which he told me not to open until
Christmas. It was my present from him, he'd said, and I'd grimaced for
a moment, realising I didn't have anything to give him in return.
"That's alright," He said, "You'll just owe me a huge favour instead."
"How huge?" I questioned.
"Oh, I don't know. Suitably huge to replace the Christmas present that never was," He grinned, before turning back to his painting for Agnes.
The parcel was now resting in my trunk, which the Headmaster and Lucas had given me permission to take with me. Aside from a few changes of clothing, a few books and some presents I'd bought for Marise and my mother, that was all I had to bring. And even then, Lucas's pack was even smaller than mine; it couldn't hold more than one robe and a book or two.
The train-ride was largely uneventful. Some drunk was snoring in the corner of our compartment, but otherwise we were alone. Lucas leaned back, closed his eyes and fell asleep rather quickly as well, and I curled up in my seat, almost drifting off too. I hadn't gotten very much sleep last night. I never could sleep before Christmas Eve when I was little, and I had yet to outgrow it. The Christmas Even insomnia had this year been aided by anger; Granger had annoyed me no end, and she'd won our daily argument for the second time since the holidays started. So I'd been up almost all night, practising charms without a wand till my head ached.
"Could you please stop projecting your petty irritation at everyone?" Lucas snapped, opening his eyes again, "Some of us are trying to sleep."
"I haven't done anything!" I snapped back.
"Just think about something else, alright? You're broadcasting your feelings loud enough for people to hear you in China." He sighed. "Bloody soundboard, that's what you are."
Feeling incredibly juvenile, I crossed my arms and glared at him before turning my thoughts to Marise and the snowball-war. Hopefully that was nice enough thoughts for Lucas. He fell asleep again quickly, and I drifted off as well not long after him.
'
Platform 9 ¾ was almost deserted as we stepped off the train. Not many people rode the Hogwart's Express except students, and since Christmas break had already started, there were no students around. No one was passing through the barrier, no one was waiting for the train. King's Cross seemed strangely empty, even though I knew that Muggle life went on as normal on the other side of the barrier.
"We will be Flooing to the Ministry of Magic, and from there to France." Lucas said.
"Wait, wait, wait; if we can Floo to the Ministry, then why the heck did I have to walk there every time?" I protested.
"They only opened the connection a week ago, Zabini. You couldn't possibly have used it before that." Lucas rolled his eyes. "Now please hurry up; your mother is expecting us before dinner."
Grumbling, I did as he said, and carried my trunk over to the newly installed fireplaces. No matter how newly installed they were, they had already been violated; some dimwit had scrawled some dim slogan across the side, stating that "Slytherin sucks!", and "Death to the Snakes!". Needless to say, I wasn't very amused. For a moment, I was tempted to add some scrawling of my own, even though it was beneath me, but then Lucas cleared his throat behind me, clearly wondering why I had stopped.
"This is against my better judgement you know; it's clearly Slytherin abuse." I gestured to the scrawling, "But if I have to, I guess I will."
"Just get on with it, Zabini." Lucas sighed. "We do not, despite what you might think, have all day."
"Fine."
I hate Flooing, because for some reason, I always end up choking on the ashes, and it was no different this time. I stumbled out into the golden hall at the Ministry coughing and swearing to myself. Accidentally, I crashed into some people, who stumbled back and swore before shoving me back. Of course, I stumbled some more and hit some other people. Not the best entry in Ministry history, but certainly the filthiest. There was ashes everywhere, and my sooty footsteps marred the floor.
"Nice entry there, Zabini." Anja said, catching my elbow to prevent me from falling. "You can't just walk in, can you?"
"I hate Flooing." I said miserably to no one. "I really do. Point me at whoever came up with it, and I'll break his jaw."
"I like my jaw where it is, thank you." Linden, who seemed to appear out of nowhere with a cup of coffee said. "Why are you here? It's Christmas break, is it not?"
"We're going France," I explained, looking around for Lucas, "But only for a few days before returning to Hogwarts. Professor Lucas comes with me to explain things to my mother. At least I'll get my snowball war with my sister. What are you all doing here? I thought you never left the Department if you could help it."
"We don't, usually, because everyone looks funny at us," Basil informed me seriously. He was wearing what looked like a blue suit, but with the Basil- like additions to it; a top hat, and a waistcoat for some reason. It was an almost normal outfit for Basil, but it stood out like a rose in a field of weeds among the robed wizards. "I don't know why, but they do."
"You don't say," I mumbled.
"We're here because we're going home for Christmas," Anja shrugged. "I haven't seen my father in a full year, and my mother would blow a fuse if I don't come home. Christmas is way overrated."
"My brother ordered me to leave the Department, he's getting worried about me." Linden explained, straightening his glasses.
"My family wants me back for Christmas so they can try to, as they call it, get me sane again." Basil grinned, "Don't know why they keep trying. Well, be off now; the outgoing Floo to France is free."
"Happy Christmas," I said, before heading off to the other side of the hall.
Lucas was already standing there, waiting for me. A tall man in grey robes with a strange emblem on his chest was giving him odd looks, which he largely ignored. No one could ignore things as disdainfully as Lucas could. Without even looking at him, Lucas had made him angry. Someday, I'd learn how to do that, but that day wasn't today. All I wanted now was to get home, hug my sister and my mother and sleep. And food. Food was currently at the top of my list.
"Done now?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah. Shall we?" I gestured towards the fireplace, and when Lucas nodded I went through.
'
I had been in my house for approximately thirty seconds when I was tackle- hugged by my little sister. She was getting slow; twenty seconds used to be the norm. Lucas stepped through the fireplace with a lot more grace than I did, and smiled momentarily at the picture of me sitting on the floor with my sister surgically attached to my ribcage. I suffered silently, while my sister babbled in both French and English about how glad she was that I was home and oh, couldn't we have our snowball war already?
"Marise, slow down; not even I can hear what you're saying now." I chuckled and ruffled her hair.
"Blaisie," She breathed, and I rolled my eyes. Great, another nickname. "Why didn't you come home with everyone else?"
"Because I wasn't allowed to by the Headmaster." I explained, standing up. She still didn't let go. "But I'm home now, and as soon as I've eaten, said hello to Mother and unpacked, I'll have that snowball war with you."
"Yay!" She hugged me even tighter. Then she noticed Lucas, and the smile disappeared and she looked suddenly scared. Lucas gave her a small smile, to try and soften the scariness, but apparently didn't succeed, since Marise hid her face in my shoulder. "Blaise, he's scary."
"He is, isn't he?" I chuckled again, "That's Vincent Lucas, my professor. He's not as bad as he looks. Professor, this is my sister, a wandering hazard to everything with legs and the ability to be hugged."
"Hello." Lucas stretched out his hand, and Marise stared at it for a moment before taking it.
"Don't be sad." Marise said abruptly. Lucas raised an eyebrow, "It wasn't your fault. Blaise, Mama is in the dining room. Come!"
Jumping down and dragging me towards the dining room, Marise was her usual bubbly self again, just as abruptly as she'd been sad and scared. My sister was confusing sometimes, and her cryptic words to Lucas made me puzzle over if she was really alright. Sure, Lucas was scary, and not the happiest person on Earth, but for my sister to tell him not to be sad, something had to be going on. I'd have to ask Marise about it later.
The snow was falling heavily outside as we half walked, half ran to the dining room. I nearly crashed into the dining table before I managed to stop, laughing with my sister. My mother was standing just a few feet away, and gasped, shocked at our daring when we entered. I stopped laughing, though it was hard keeping a straight face at her shocked expression.
"Hello, Mother," I said, trying to keep my grinning to a minimum.
"Welcome home, dear," She gave me a quick hug, "Now, where is your teacher? I received a letter from the Headmaster stating one of your professors would come with you."
"I'm right here." Lucas said, "You look like someone hit you in the back of your head with a board, Philomena."
"Vincent!" She gasped, "I thought you were dead!"
"Sorry to disappoint, but it takes more than a war to kill me," Lucas shrugged. "Dumbledore found me in a tavern in Siberia, and told me I was his new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. I was in no position to refuse, so I've been teaching your son how to best not kill himself since September 1st."
They stared at each other. My mother attempted a smile, but it looked as if she was in pain. Lucas did not look the least happy to see her, even though they'd obviously met before.
"I'll...." I cleared my throat, "I'll just leave you two to catch up then, shall I?"
Turning, I dragged Marise from the room, trusting that someone would explain the situation to me when they saw fit. Of course, since my father had been at Hogwarts about the same time as Lucas was, if I'd counted the years right, my mother and Lucas might have met. The surprise and Lucas rather cool answer to my mother's exclamation gave me a hint that the acquaintance wasn't a good one. Better let the wolves battle it out without me or my sister there. Besides, I needed to unpack. Marise walked silently beside me, to all appearances happy with the world and satisfied with all that was going on. She's a little odd, but since she seemed to be handling things well, I decided not to bother with worrying.
"How have you been?" I asked her.
"It's been lonely. Father's gone." She said sadly. "Mama says he's not coming back. Why isn't he coming back, Blaise? Doesn't he like us any more?"
Once again I was stuck explaining things to my poor little sister. For some unexplained reason, my sister's mind had stopped somewhere around a six year-olds stage. She wasn't academically stupid, she just acted like a six year-old. Crouching down so that I was at her level, I studied her for a moment. This was going to be hard. I cursed my mother for not explaining things to Marise.
"Father's not coming back, because he can't." I said softly. "Remember when you had that bad dream, and our house burned?"
"Yeah." She mumbled.
"Father didn't, he didn't," I choked. Damn this was difficult to talk about; I hadn't gotten over it yet, so how should I be able to tell my sister? "He didn't get out. He's gone. Like Balthazar, your kitten. Father's dead."
I couldn't help it; tears rolled down my cheeks as Marise flung her arms around my neck and held on for dear life. I could hear her sobbing in my ear, wetting my shirt with her tears and mumbling something over and over. There was nothing to do but keep holding her and waiting for her to stop crying. It seemed an eternity before her sobs turned to hiccups which silenced. She still didn't let go of my neck, so I sat down with my back against the wall silently.
"Shh, Marise. It'll be alright." I whispered, watching my hopes of a calm and nice Christmas go down in flames. "Don't cry. I'll make everything alright, I promise."
"Promise?" She sniffled.
"I can't bring Father back, but I promise." I said solemnly. She hugged me once more.
"Mama doesn't talk to anyone any more." She confessed. "It gets lonely. I tried building a snowman yesterday, but it fell apart."
The switch of subjects was confusing, but I followed sort of. If nothing else, it was to protect herself, to get away from the subject of my father and the lonely house she lived in. The only speck of light where she was concerned was that she'd go to Hogwarts in less than a year, and I could watch over her there. The sooner she got away from our demented mother, the better. When Marise finally let go of my neck, I stood up and taking her hand, I wandered off in search of food. As we passed the dining room, I could hear my mother's raised voice, though muffled by the heavy doors. I winced, and Marise squeezed my hand tightly.
I crossed my fingers, hoping Lucas would win this battle.
'
Sandwiches and cold tea is no substitute for a good dinner, but something is better than nothing at all. I amused Marise by building a tower out of teaspoons, which stood for approximately ten seconds before falling down and making the House Elf chase us out of the kitchen. Marise had momentarily forgotten about the fight our mother was having with Lucas as well as pushed the topic of our father to the back of her mind. She was fairly skipping back through the hallways.
"It's late, you better get to sleep, or Mama will be angry with you in the morning." I told her, pointing towards her room. "Run along now; I'll make sure Mama and Lucas stop fighting, alright?"
"Alright. 'Night, Blaise."
"Night." I hugged her before she ran down the corridor.
As soon as she was gone, I steered my steps towards the dining room. Just as I came to the doors, Lucas stepped out, looking angry, tired and annoyed, but with a small smile on his face that was a tell-tale sign of victory. He spotted me and reined in the smile quickly. I raised my eyebrow.
"How went the taming of the beast?" I questioned.
"I survived," He rolled his eyes. Then he seemed to realise what he'd said, "That's really no way to speak of your mother."
"Well, I've done what I promised; you aren't fighting any more. If anyone needs me, I'll be researching how long one can sleep in one's own bed." I said, "Night."
Fortunately, my bed was closer than I thought, and I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Normally, after my mother had had a fight, I'd be up all night wondering why the world was so messed up, but since Lucas wasn't my father, it didn't matter all that much.
'
Ending Notes; another not-so-long chapter, but There wasn't much else to write here, and if I tried to stretch it, it would just feel wrong.
"That's alright," He said, "You'll just owe me a huge favour instead."
"How huge?" I questioned.
"Oh, I don't know. Suitably huge to replace the Christmas present that never was," He grinned, before turning back to his painting for Agnes.
The parcel was now resting in my trunk, which the Headmaster and Lucas had given me permission to take with me. Aside from a few changes of clothing, a few books and some presents I'd bought for Marise and my mother, that was all I had to bring. And even then, Lucas's pack was even smaller than mine; it couldn't hold more than one robe and a book or two.
The train-ride was largely uneventful. Some drunk was snoring in the corner of our compartment, but otherwise we were alone. Lucas leaned back, closed his eyes and fell asleep rather quickly as well, and I curled up in my seat, almost drifting off too. I hadn't gotten very much sleep last night. I never could sleep before Christmas Eve when I was little, and I had yet to outgrow it. The Christmas Even insomnia had this year been aided by anger; Granger had annoyed me no end, and she'd won our daily argument for the second time since the holidays started. So I'd been up almost all night, practising charms without a wand till my head ached.
"Could you please stop projecting your petty irritation at everyone?" Lucas snapped, opening his eyes again, "Some of us are trying to sleep."
"I haven't done anything!" I snapped back.
"Just think about something else, alright? You're broadcasting your feelings loud enough for people to hear you in China." He sighed. "Bloody soundboard, that's what you are."
Feeling incredibly juvenile, I crossed my arms and glared at him before turning my thoughts to Marise and the snowball-war. Hopefully that was nice enough thoughts for Lucas. He fell asleep again quickly, and I drifted off as well not long after him.
'
Platform 9 ¾ was almost deserted as we stepped off the train. Not many people rode the Hogwart's Express except students, and since Christmas break had already started, there were no students around. No one was passing through the barrier, no one was waiting for the train. King's Cross seemed strangely empty, even though I knew that Muggle life went on as normal on the other side of the barrier.
"We will be Flooing to the Ministry of Magic, and from there to France." Lucas said.
"Wait, wait, wait; if we can Floo to the Ministry, then why the heck did I have to walk there every time?" I protested.
"They only opened the connection a week ago, Zabini. You couldn't possibly have used it before that." Lucas rolled his eyes. "Now please hurry up; your mother is expecting us before dinner."
Grumbling, I did as he said, and carried my trunk over to the newly installed fireplaces. No matter how newly installed they were, they had already been violated; some dimwit had scrawled some dim slogan across the side, stating that "Slytherin sucks!", and "Death to the Snakes!". Needless to say, I wasn't very amused. For a moment, I was tempted to add some scrawling of my own, even though it was beneath me, but then Lucas cleared his throat behind me, clearly wondering why I had stopped.
"This is against my better judgement you know; it's clearly Slytherin abuse." I gestured to the scrawling, "But if I have to, I guess I will."
"Just get on with it, Zabini." Lucas sighed. "We do not, despite what you might think, have all day."
"Fine."
I hate Flooing, because for some reason, I always end up choking on the ashes, and it was no different this time. I stumbled out into the golden hall at the Ministry coughing and swearing to myself. Accidentally, I crashed into some people, who stumbled back and swore before shoving me back. Of course, I stumbled some more and hit some other people. Not the best entry in Ministry history, but certainly the filthiest. There was ashes everywhere, and my sooty footsteps marred the floor.
"Nice entry there, Zabini." Anja said, catching my elbow to prevent me from falling. "You can't just walk in, can you?"
"I hate Flooing." I said miserably to no one. "I really do. Point me at whoever came up with it, and I'll break his jaw."
"I like my jaw where it is, thank you." Linden, who seemed to appear out of nowhere with a cup of coffee said. "Why are you here? It's Christmas break, is it not?"
"We're going France," I explained, looking around for Lucas, "But only for a few days before returning to Hogwarts. Professor Lucas comes with me to explain things to my mother. At least I'll get my snowball war with my sister. What are you all doing here? I thought you never left the Department if you could help it."
"We don't, usually, because everyone looks funny at us," Basil informed me seriously. He was wearing what looked like a blue suit, but with the Basil- like additions to it; a top hat, and a waistcoat for some reason. It was an almost normal outfit for Basil, but it stood out like a rose in a field of weeds among the robed wizards. "I don't know why, but they do."
"You don't say," I mumbled.
"We're here because we're going home for Christmas," Anja shrugged. "I haven't seen my father in a full year, and my mother would blow a fuse if I don't come home. Christmas is way overrated."
"My brother ordered me to leave the Department, he's getting worried about me." Linden explained, straightening his glasses.
"My family wants me back for Christmas so they can try to, as they call it, get me sane again." Basil grinned, "Don't know why they keep trying. Well, be off now; the outgoing Floo to France is free."
"Happy Christmas," I said, before heading off to the other side of the hall.
Lucas was already standing there, waiting for me. A tall man in grey robes with a strange emblem on his chest was giving him odd looks, which he largely ignored. No one could ignore things as disdainfully as Lucas could. Without even looking at him, Lucas had made him angry. Someday, I'd learn how to do that, but that day wasn't today. All I wanted now was to get home, hug my sister and my mother and sleep. And food. Food was currently at the top of my list.
"Done now?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah. Shall we?" I gestured towards the fireplace, and when Lucas nodded I went through.
'
I had been in my house for approximately thirty seconds when I was tackle- hugged by my little sister. She was getting slow; twenty seconds used to be the norm. Lucas stepped through the fireplace with a lot more grace than I did, and smiled momentarily at the picture of me sitting on the floor with my sister surgically attached to my ribcage. I suffered silently, while my sister babbled in both French and English about how glad she was that I was home and oh, couldn't we have our snowball war already?
"Marise, slow down; not even I can hear what you're saying now." I chuckled and ruffled her hair.
"Blaisie," She breathed, and I rolled my eyes. Great, another nickname. "Why didn't you come home with everyone else?"
"Because I wasn't allowed to by the Headmaster." I explained, standing up. She still didn't let go. "But I'm home now, and as soon as I've eaten, said hello to Mother and unpacked, I'll have that snowball war with you."
"Yay!" She hugged me even tighter. Then she noticed Lucas, and the smile disappeared and she looked suddenly scared. Lucas gave her a small smile, to try and soften the scariness, but apparently didn't succeed, since Marise hid her face in my shoulder. "Blaise, he's scary."
"He is, isn't he?" I chuckled again, "That's Vincent Lucas, my professor. He's not as bad as he looks. Professor, this is my sister, a wandering hazard to everything with legs and the ability to be hugged."
"Hello." Lucas stretched out his hand, and Marise stared at it for a moment before taking it.
"Don't be sad." Marise said abruptly. Lucas raised an eyebrow, "It wasn't your fault. Blaise, Mama is in the dining room. Come!"
Jumping down and dragging me towards the dining room, Marise was her usual bubbly self again, just as abruptly as she'd been sad and scared. My sister was confusing sometimes, and her cryptic words to Lucas made me puzzle over if she was really alright. Sure, Lucas was scary, and not the happiest person on Earth, but for my sister to tell him not to be sad, something had to be going on. I'd have to ask Marise about it later.
The snow was falling heavily outside as we half walked, half ran to the dining room. I nearly crashed into the dining table before I managed to stop, laughing with my sister. My mother was standing just a few feet away, and gasped, shocked at our daring when we entered. I stopped laughing, though it was hard keeping a straight face at her shocked expression.
"Hello, Mother," I said, trying to keep my grinning to a minimum.
"Welcome home, dear," She gave me a quick hug, "Now, where is your teacher? I received a letter from the Headmaster stating one of your professors would come with you."
"I'm right here." Lucas said, "You look like someone hit you in the back of your head with a board, Philomena."
"Vincent!" She gasped, "I thought you were dead!"
"Sorry to disappoint, but it takes more than a war to kill me," Lucas shrugged. "Dumbledore found me in a tavern in Siberia, and told me I was his new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. I was in no position to refuse, so I've been teaching your son how to best not kill himself since September 1st."
They stared at each other. My mother attempted a smile, but it looked as if she was in pain. Lucas did not look the least happy to see her, even though they'd obviously met before.
"I'll...." I cleared my throat, "I'll just leave you two to catch up then, shall I?"
Turning, I dragged Marise from the room, trusting that someone would explain the situation to me when they saw fit. Of course, since my father had been at Hogwarts about the same time as Lucas was, if I'd counted the years right, my mother and Lucas might have met. The surprise and Lucas rather cool answer to my mother's exclamation gave me a hint that the acquaintance wasn't a good one. Better let the wolves battle it out without me or my sister there. Besides, I needed to unpack. Marise walked silently beside me, to all appearances happy with the world and satisfied with all that was going on. She's a little odd, but since she seemed to be handling things well, I decided not to bother with worrying.
"How have you been?" I asked her.
"It's been lonely. Father's gone." She said sadly. "Mama says he's not coming back. Why isn't he coming back, Blaise? Doesn't he like us any more?"
Once again I was stuck explaining things to my poor little sister. For some unexplained reason, my sister's mind had stopped somewhere around a six year-olds stage. She wasn't academically stupid, she just acted like a six year-old. Crouching down so that I was at her level, I studied her for a moment. This was going to be hard. I cursed my mother for not explaining things to Marise.
"Father's not coming back, because he can't." I said softly. "Remember when you had that bad dream, and our house burned?"
"Yeah." She mumbled.
"Father didn't, he didn't," I choked. Damn this was difficult to talk about; I hadn't gotten over it yet, so how should I be able to tell my sister? "He didn't get out. He's gone. Like Balthazar, your kitten. Father's dead."
I couldn't help it; tears rolled down my cheeks as Marise flung her arms around my neck and held on for dear life. I could hear her sobbing in my ear, wetting my shirt with her tears and mumbling something over and over. There was nothing to do but keep holding her and waiting for her to stop crying. It seemed an eternity before her sobs turned to hiccups which silenced. She still didn't let go of my neck, so I sat down with my back against the wall silently.
"Shh, Marise. It'll be alright." I whispered, watching my hopes of a calm and nice Christmas go down in flames. "Don't cry. I'll make everything alright, I promise."
"Promise?" She sniffled.
"I can't bring Father back, but I promise." I said solemnly. She hugged me once more.
"Mama doesn't talk to anyone any more." She confessed. "It gets lonely. I tried building a snowman yesterday, but it fell apart."
The switch of subjects was confusing, but I followed sort of. If nothing else, it was to protect herself, to get away from the subject of my father and the lonely house she lived in. The only speck of light where she was concerned was that she'd go to Hogwarts in less than a year, and I could watch over her there. The sooner she got away from our demented mother, the better. When Marise finally let go of my neck, I stood up and taking her hand, I wandered off in search of food. As we passed the dining room, I could hear my mother's raised voice, though muffled by the heavy doors. I winced, and Marise squeezed my hand tightly.
I crossed my fingers, hoping Lucas would win this battle.
'
Sandwiches and cold tea is no substitute for a good dinner, but something is better than nothing at all. I amused Marise by building a tower out of teaspoons, which stood for approximately ten seconds before falling down and making the House Elf chase us out of the kitchen. Marise had momentarily forgotten about the fight our mother was having with Lucas as well as pushed the topic of our father to the back of her mind. She was fairly skipping back through the hallways.
"It's late, you better get to sleep, or Mama will be angry with you in the morning." I told her, pointing towards her room. "Run along now; I'll make sure Mama and Lucas stop fighting, alright?"
"Alright. 'Night, Blaise."
"Night." I hugged her before she ran down the corridor.
As soon as she was gone, I steered my steps towards the dining room. Just as I came to the doors, Lucas stepped out, looking angry, tired and annoyed, but with a small smile on his face that was a tell-tale sign of victory. He spotted me and reined in the smile quickly. I raised my eyebrow.
"How went the taming of the beast?" I questioned.
"I survived," He rolled his eyes. Then he seemed to realise what he'd said, "That's really no way to speak of your mother."
"Well, I've done what I promised; you aren't fighting any more. If anyone needs me, I'll be researching how long one can sleep in one's own bed." I said, "Night."
Fortunately, my bed was closer than I thought, and I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Normally, after my mother had had a fight, I'd be up all night wondering why the world was so messed up, but since Lucas wasn't my father, it didn't matter all that much.
'
Ending Notes; another not-so-long chapter, but There wasn't much else to write here, and if I tried to stretch it, it would just feel wrong.