By the beginning of August things were going well. The boys were both able to follow the schedule that had been set for them, although at a slower pace than what Duncan and Methos were capable of maintaining. Harry was putting on weight, mostly muscle. Dudley's weight loss was coming along extremely well, now that the real problem with his weight loss had been tackled. With the potion, new eating habits and exercise schedule, Dudley was averaging a weight loss of sixteen and a half pounds a week.
Adam's big problem, however, was their magical training. Dudley's ignorance was understandable, but Harry not knowing the basic principles of magical theory was unacceptable. The fact that these things weren't even taught at Hogwarts was inexcusable. Adam had called for help to correct the problem, but now he would have to tell Harry who he had been, not the Adam he knew now or the stories he had been told of Methos, or the truth behind Death on a Pale Horse, but who he had been one thousand years ago. Duncan would also have to be told the truth.
With a sigh, Adam headed to the kitchen. After grabbing a beer he hopped on a bar stool at the breakfast bar. "We need to talk."
Duncan glanced at the two boys, who were working on their nutrition assignments at the kitchen table while he prepared lunch and answered questions. He glanced at Adam with one eyebrow raised.
"Boys, why don't you go finish your assignments in your room?" Adam said in response to Duncan's unasked question.
"What if we have questions?" Dudley asked as his cousin started gathering his books and pencils. While Dudley was finding schoolwork much easier than it had been, it was still harder for him then it was for Harry.
"I'll help you, Dudley." Harry responded as he started to gather Dudley's stuff as well.
"What if you don't know the answer, though?" Dudley whined. He really wanted to do well, especially now that there was nothing holding him back.
"Write it down if you can't figure it out. We will go over them at the next nutrition class." Duncan answered.
It looked like Dudley was going to make another comment when Harry started tugging on his sleeve.
"They want to talk," Harry hissed at his cousin. "You know, adult stuff," Harry continued in a whisper.
"Oh. OH!" Dudley quickly grabbed his belongings and followed his cousin from the room.
Duncan closed his eyes and groaned as Adam chuckled.
"So, what is so important that it couldn't wait until later tonight, when they have free time?" Duncan asked as he went back to chopping bell peppers for the stir fry they would be having for lunch.
"Connor and Amanda will be here tomorrow." Adam looked down at the bottle cap he was playing with before continuing. "Duncan, you know that Connor has magic. You thought he got it from the illusionist whose head he took. But he has always had magic, just like me. And I don't care how good a thief you are; there's no way to pull off half the stuff Amanda has without magic." Adam looked up to gauge Duncan's reaction.
Duncan paused mid-chop with his head bowed. With a deep breath, he finished chopping the bell pepper before dumping the whole cutting board of sliced and chopped vegetables into the sink and turning on the disposal.
"I'm trying really hard, Adam. I've seen so much. Hell, I'm a five-hundred-year-old Immortal; I can understand that there may be more to this world than what I have seen so far. But it seems that as soon as I've gained some kind of footing in this, you go and shove me off kilter with something new." After drying his hands and tossing the towel on the counter, Duncan headed out of the kitchen area and towards the bedroom.
"Order pizza for lunch; Dudley can have two slices. No bacon or pepperoni. Get them a side salad as well. I'll be back later." With that, Duncan changed directions and grabbed his coat before walking out the door.
"Well, that went well." Adam sighed, dropping his head to the counter top.