Chapter thirty three.

Ayla took the next week off from work, she couldn't face the shop or her uncle. Knowing that it was his daughter who had some how sunk her claws into the father of her baby didn't fill her with the joys of spring.

Not that she was moping around either. It would be nice if Oliver wanted to be involved but at the moment he didn't even know. Sarah had been round with a truck load of books on magical births. Ayla had already been trained in the art of changing nappies, so she skipped the large text citing the many ways and means of changing the little ones diapers.

She picked up a book on the actual birth and began to flick through it. The images that met her eyes terrified her, she snapped the book shut and threw it across the room. She knew it wasn't going to be a pleasant experience, but there was no need to be so graphic.

She didn't need to find something else to distract her as there was a sudden knock on the door. She got to her feet, musing that pretending to be sick wasn't as much fun as she first thought it would be. It also suddenly occurred to her that she knew very few people who would actually knock the door before entering. Most of her friends and family would either use the floo network or simply walk straight in. it had been years since the final battle, but Ayla was still apprehensive about opening the door to strangers.

"Who is it?"

"Kris, now open the bloody door mate, it's tipping down out here!"

Ayla opened the door to find her rain-soaked friend surrounded by several bags.

"Here help me with these will you?"

Ayla grabbed a few bags and helped Kris inside.

"So, uh what's going on?", she asked.

"Oh nothing much. Broke up with Drew so now I'm homeless. Sarah said it would be ok to stay here for a while. You don't mind?"

"No, course not. I'll make us a drink, you go and dry off and then you can tell me what happened."

The girls settled down to tea and biscuits, Kristina now dry and Ayla distracted from her own problems.

"So what happened then? I thought you two were in love."

"Oh you know the usual. I was just chatting to this guy in work, Nick. We have a laugh, messing about throwing grapes at each other, you know?"

"Being your usual mature, responsible self then?", Ayla said, smirking.

"Exactly. Well Drew comes into see me and just flips out. Tells me I should quit and stay away from Nick or else."

"Or else what?"

"He'd dump me. Well I saved him the trouble and dumped him."

"Just like that?"

"Yeah, he's been like it for a while. Thinks he can tell me what to do and who I can talk to. Jealous idiot."

"Well you're obviously better odd without him."

"Yeah, the same's true of you and Wood."

"What?", Ayla said, spluttering her tea.

"Uh Sarah told me about it. Said to be careful not to upset you. That you're very sensitive . Men eh? Waste of time. Though I never thought I'd say that about a Quidditch player."

"She told you everything?"

"Yup. You're pregnant, it's Wood's, and he's a great, big prat."

"Yeah, that's everything."

"So what was he like? Sarah said you were drunk but you must remember something?"

"It's all a bit of a blur really."

"Yeah Drew was the same. Why do we bother eh?"

"I dunno hun. I really don't."

"I mean take Drew for instance. I spent a fortune re-decorating his flat. I mean that place is gorgeous thanks to me. And he just kicks me out. No word of thanks, nothing. Why did I bother?"

Ayla just smiled at her friend, knowing she needed to get all of this out, and to interrupt her would not help.

"So. A baby's a big deal. You scared?"

"A little. But it's a long time before I have to deal with it all."

"True and I'll still be here. So I'll help out and stuff."

"Thanks Kris."

The girls were interrupted by another knock at the door. Already having one unexpected housemate Ayla was reluctant to answer it again.

"I'll get it. It's y front door too now.", Kris said, bouncing towards the door.

"Uh Ayla, it's for you. I think."

Ayla got up and walked slowly to the front door. The last thing she needed was Wood turning up, and Kris's voice did nothing to raise her hopes of another welcome visitor. The sight that greeted her was not an entirely unpleasant one. Standing in the doorway, being eyed suspiciously by Kristina, was Marcus Flint.

"Oh, uh hi."

"Hey."

"You two know each other?", asked Kris.

"Sort of."

"You weren't at the shop and I just wondered if, uh, everything was ok?", he asked, ignoring Kris.

"Everything's great.", she answered for Ayla. "Would you like some tea? And a biscuit?"

"Actually I have to-", he started.

"Excellent, come right in."

Kris grabbed the front of his robes and pulled him through the door and into the house. She left Ayla and Flint in the living room and went to get another cup.

"I'm sorry, she's a bit…"

"It's ok, I'm used to crazy women."

"So how do you two know each other? Cos you weren't exactly the nicest guy in school were you?"

"Um we met the other week.", Ayla answered.

"Does he know?", Kris asked, turning to the other girl.

"Yeah he knows.", Ayla said. "The Healer thought he was the father."

"You told the father the good news yet?", Flint asked, joining the conversation.

"No not yet."

"Like he deserves to know."

"You know who it is then?"

"Of course she does! Ayla's not some little hussy."

"Right, sorry."

"Doesn't matter."

"You should tell him soon though. If it was me, I'd want to know."

"But it's not you, it's Wood and you two are very different people."

"Kris!"

"Was I not meant to tell him that? Oops."

"Wood's the father? Were you drunk or something?"

"Well, yeah."

"Oh, well that's forgivable I guess. I've lost count of the things I've done after a few drinks."

"I'm sorry but exactly why are you here Flint?", Kristina said, dropping all pretences.

"I just wanted to make sure she was ok. I mean it freaked me out and I knew I wasn't the father. And you're like the first witch who hasn't tried to molest me or drag me off to get married. So I thought I'd just check up on you."

"So you have no secret plan to use her and throw her away like a manky glove?"

"Thanks Kris."

"No problem."

"No I was just curious."

"Well ok. But we don't take too kindly to Quidditch Players around here anymore. So just watch it, ok?"

"Ok."

"So you know any dirt on Wood? Something we can use to blackmail him if he refuses to support Ayla."

Flint grinned. "There's a few stories yeah. Most of us thought he was playing for the other side. But I guess you're proof he's not."

"Hey, you've had your teeth fixed! They look quite good now.", Kris exclaimed.

"Yeah took a Bludger to the mouth in our last match."

"Yeah Richard Hill hit it!"

"Lucky shot."

The three talked for the rest of the afternoon, during which time Flint earned Kris's approval. Well a small part of it at least.

"He's ok, I guess.", she said.