Warning: I'm raising the rating because there's going to be a bit of swearing in the next few chapters. Just so you know.
Forty eight.
"You know you still haven't told me" Ceridwen Flint called to her son from the living room. Marcus was getting dressed upstairs, he had hoped to avoid this conversation.
"Told you what mother?" he said evasively.
"Who the young woman you left me to see was."
"Oh that."
"Yes that! Come, come Marcus. I believe your exact words were 'I'm going to see a woman about a baby'. So what do you have to say for yourself?"
"Nothing."
"Marcus I taught you almost everything you know. I know when you're lying. So who is she?"
"A friend."
"And?"
"That's it."
"I don't believe you. Who is this friend? Do I know her?"
"She's just a friend mum, you don't know her."
"And the baby? Oh Merlin's beard you haven't got some poor witch pregnant and abandoned her have you?"
"Mother just drop it. I don't want to talk about it." Marcus said in a warning voice.
"Darling I just have your best interests at heart." she paused and gazed at her son, who huffed incredulously. "Ok I admit it's partly for my benefit too. It would be nice to see you settle down with a nice young witch. I want to see you happy."
"I am happy."
"No you're not. Not truly happy anyway. Oh I don't doubt that you're contented with your life. But real, true, honest to goodness happiness, you haven't known that yet my darling. That sort of thing you'll only get if you let someone into your life. And I get the feeling that this friend of yours is getting pretty close."
"I wouldn't be so sure mother. We barely know one another. I'd hardly say she was a friend."
"But she's on her way to being a very close friend isn't she? You've spent time together, you enjoy her company. You just don't know if she feels the same."
"How do you know all that? Have you been snooping again?"
"No darling. I just know you. Give it time, she'll come around. How could she not? When such a handsome wizard is interested in her?"
"I dunno about that mum."
"Well we'll see. You will let me know if I'm right?"
"I doubt it's ever going to come to that."
"You'd be surprised dear boy. Why when I met you father I couldn't stand him. But he grew on me."
"You make him sound like mould."
"No, the mouldiness came after. Your father was a good man Marcus, no matter what anyone else may say. But he was altogether too easily persuaded. But you, you're like me, stubborn as hell."
"So did you talk Dad into marrying you? If he was so easily persuaded."
"You cheeky little sod! You're not too old for a good smack Marcus. Your father was a good man, he had a good heart. But with people like Malfoy whispering poison in his ear for as long as he did it's no wonder your father chose the path that he did. I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did really. Don't forget it was the job of most Death Eaters to recruit, your father was a powerful wizard. Powerful but easily swayed and not too fond of asking questions. Merlin love him. The Dark Lord had many seductive ideals that appealed to young wizards. Your father just wanted to preserve what he thought was right.
"Which brings me to my next point Marcus. You aren't like him. Not in the slightest. Yes you were sorted into Slytherin, but so was the rest of our family. You're a good boy and any witch would be lucky to have you."
"Thanks mum."
"Just doing my job darling. Now go win that witch over and get me some grandchildren to spoil."
"Can't mum, I've got training. Besides this is my house, shouldn't you be the one to leave?"
"Fine, this is the last time I think of doing you a favour. I was going to throw a few cleaning spells about for you, and you're trying to throw me out! Your own mother, some children can be so cruel." Ceridwen said dramatically. She flounced to the fireplace, sticking her tongue out at her son. "It's a good thing I still love you."
"Bye mum."
"Bye bye darling."
The fireplace erupted into green flames and his mother was gone. Marcus collapsed on to the sofa his mother had just vacated. She was great, almost like a friend at times, but talking to her was exhausting. He only had a few minutes to regain his strength, as the fireplace roared into vivid green flames once more.
"Back to do the cleaning?" he said, not bothering to lift his head.
"Uh no, do I look like your mother? I'll have a flick round if you like, but I'm not that good."
"Ayla! Sorry I thought you were…"
"Your mother?"
"Yeah, she just left."
"Doesn't matter how old you get or how long you've lived away from home they always tell you off for not cleaning you're room don't they?"
"Yeah something like that."
"Sorry I'm not bothering you am I? It's just the Kris is in work and Sarah's off visiting her husbands family, and you said-"
"No it's fine." he said cutting her off. "I just need to get my head back in order after my mother."
"Oh Merlin tell me about it. My mother could talk for Britain."
"Sounds familiar."
"I'm sure she'd got an order of Merlin for nagging. Probably first class and all."
"I bet my mum could beat yours."
"Nah I don't think so. How about they tie for first place? Just until we can get them together, and my mum'll prove she's the best."
"Deal. You don't talk about your family much you know. Do you not get on with them?"
"No I do. It's just there's a lot of them and they're a bit much to handle at times."
"Have you told them? About the baby."
"No not yet. Well my sister in law knows. But she saw it. I mean she's sort of a Seer! Not that she saw it." Ayla said blushing.
"I get you."
"But I've asked her not to say anything. It's probably best coming from me. Though I think my brothers would still want to murder Oliver."
"I would, if you were my sister."
"I dunno about my sisters though, they might join in I guess."
"You've got a big family then?"
"Yup, two brothers, two sisters. Drake is the oldest, he's married to Chelsea, the Seer. And they've got two little girls, Bryony and Jasmine. They look like little angels but they're far from it. Then there's Parker, his wife and little boy died in an attack. I don't think he's ever gotten over losing them. Maylea was just such a beautiful person. And Finn was just the spit of both of them. The sweetest little boy ever.
"Then there's Zara, my oldest sister. She's married to Darrell Stocker, the broom guy. They've got a three year old boy, Bentley. He's just adorable, hated being the only boy and having to play with the girls. But that's all changed now because my sister just had a baby boy with her soon to be husband Goldie. He's the guy who does the late night show on the WWN."
"Yeah I met him, he's a good bloke."
"Yeah those two are just smitten with each other. I think they're planning on getting hitched as soon as possible now. And then there's me."
"What about your parents?"
"Oh my mum's just mad. Desperate for lots of grandchildren. Very homey, very house proud. And my dad. My dad's great. He just let's me get on with things in my own time. Him and my mum bicker all the time, he gambled most of our family gold away. Mum expects he'll just give it up as a bad job. But he loves putting a bet on the Quidditch finals."
"You sound like you really miss them. Why don't you just tell them? I bet your mum would be landed."
"I dunno. I just don't know how. I mean I don't want to give my parents heart attacks, they aren't exactly young. My brothers would definitely go nuts. And there's no way to tell them without telling them everything. It's just hard. What about your family? What are they like?"
Posting this because I can't wait to get to the next chapter. Oh and for those who asked, the last chapter will be number 57, not far to go!
