"It's just me and my mum. It has been for a while."
"I'm sorry. Look if you don't want to talk about it that's fine."
"Nah don't worry. Mum keeps telling me I need to talk about him more."
"If you're sure."
"Yeah I'm sure. I don't really remember much about my dad to be honest. Just what my mums told me really. He died when I was a toddler."
"Oh."
"Yeah stupid idiot had joined up with You know who a few years before I was born. When I came along mum decided she didn't want to be a part of it anymore. Not that she really was a part of it, she was just expected to support her husband in whatever he did. So he left her, when she told him she wanted out. And left me too. She said he was a good man really. He just got talked into things really easy."
"Well they always said that if You know who wanted you, he'd have you."
"Yeah, well he got my dad. Mum says I'm nothing like him though. Says I'm just like her. Well I would be, she's all I've ever really known. The rest of my family aren't close. Very Slytherin, you know? Not all Death Eaters, I just mean not very loving. My family doesn't really show affection very much. But it's ok, I mean I've got my mum and she's as mad as a box of frogs. And the way I see it, it could be worse. If mum had joined up too I'd probably be an orphan. Or sporting my own oh so trendy tattoo."
"At least you're happy. I mean that's the main thing right?"
"Yeah. Except I haven't known true happiness yet, not according to my mum anyway."
"What?"
"Oh just some lovey dovey shit she was spouting earlier."
"Oh I get you. True happiness comes from true love sort of thing?"
"Yeah."
"I get that all the time too." Ayla said grinning. "I should probably go, Kris should be home by now. And you know how she worries."
"Yeah takes it to a whole new level that girl." Marcus joked.
"Sorry about the other day by the way. If I'd known what they were up to I'd have stopped them."
"Don't worry about it. They just want to look after you."
"Yeah but that was taking it too far."
They stopped talking, each was smiling. They seemed to have run out of things to say.
"Uh Marcus, there's an owl at your window." Ayla said, finally noticing the bird tapping on the glass outside. They had been so wrapped up in conversation that she hadn't heard it until now.
He spotted the tawny owl and crossed the room to open the window. The bird dropped the red envelope in his hand and flew away. It knew what was about to happen.
"Uh oh."
"What?"
"Howler."
"Do you want me to leave? It might be private."
"Nah I doubt it. Unless it's Wood finally declaring his undying love for me. Well best get this over with." he said opening the now smoking envelope.
"FLINT! THIS IS IT. YOU'RE OFF THE TEAM YOU WASTE OF SPACE. YOU'VE BROKEN THE TERMS AND MISSED THREE FULL TEAM PRACTICES. YOU'RE FIRED LOSER! PICK UP YOU SHIT FROM THE TRAINING GROUNDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SIGNED THE FALMOUTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS."
"Wow, they sounded nice."
"Ha you don't know the half of it."
"I'm sorry Marcus."
"Why? I'm not. I'll just get on a better team. Maybe I'll try one where they value skills over how hard you can punch."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Yeah. Well I have the afternoon free now and it's a nice day, why don't I walk you home. It's not far."
"That'd be great. Flooing and apparating kinda make me want to throw up lately. And to be honest I have no idea how to find my way home from here."
"Great, you ready to go?"
"Yup."
The couple set off, it was still quite light out despite being quite late. They carried on chatting as they went. Nothing as in depth as their families but what interested them, hobbies.
"You know all I ever talked about with Oliver was Quidditch. And my ex Adam just liked talking about himself. But you're different. It's likeā¦"
"What?"
"Like you're one of the girls. I'm comfortable around you. I guess it's 'cos' I can trust you. And you trust me right?"
"Yeah course."
"So we're friends then? Might as well make it official."
"Yeah friends."
"Cool." Ayla said grinning at her new official friend.
"Merlin what's that racket? It sounds like a banshee." Marcus asked.
"It sounds like Kris. And, oh bugger it's Adam. Looks he's trying to get in."
They had reached the end of Ayla's street. Sure enough there was her ex trying to force his way into her home. With Kris holding back the door and screaming bloody murder in the process.
"You stay here. I'll sort him out. Whatever happens just stay here 'til he's gone ok?"
"Ok."
"Oi you!" Marcus bellowed. "Leave her alone." he ran up to Ayla's home.
"Look mate, this is none of your business. She's a friend of mine. So why don't you back off? I'm not gonna tell you twice."
"That's your choice." Marcus said through gritted teeth, before launching himself at the other man. Being much bigger he was able to drag Adam away from the door and into the street.
"Get lost mate. I told you this is none of your business."
"No I think you should be the one to get lost. She obviously doesn't want you here. So why don't you be a gentleman and fuck off?"
Adam had no intention of following Marcus's suggestion. He swung a punch in the direction of Marcus's nose. But he dodged. He was faster than Adam, and stronger to boot.
"I told you, get lost. You're not going to win this."
Adam swung again.
"Have it your way then." Marcus muttered, aiming a punch at the smaller man. It landed smack on Adam's nose. He staggered and swung once more. Again Marcus dodged and again his fist connected with a part of Adam's body. This time his chin. The challenger was knocked out. Marcus pulled his wand from his pocket and aimed it at the prone figure on the pavement. Adam vanished in a flash.
Seeing that it was now safe, Ayla started down the street.
"Where'd he go?" she called. "Where did you send him?"
"To a rubbish tip somewhere in the north of the city. I reckon it's where he belongs, he'll feel right at home."
"Oh my hero!" Kris said giggling evilly. "Well done Flint. I'll never say a bad word about you again. Imps honour."
"All I had to do was punch a guy out to get you to like me? If I'd known that I'd have punched Wood out ages ago."
"You already did." Ayla pointed out.
"Oh yeah. It's hard to keep track of the things I do for you women."
Ayla and Kris laughed.
"Can I offer my conquering hero a beverage?" Kris asked. "I suppose tea will have to do. What with you Quidditch players having to stay fit and healthy and off the booze."
"Ah but I'm not a Quidditch player anymore. How about a Fire whiskey?"
"You what?"
Flint strolled past Kris and settled himself in the living room.
"I'll have some ice for my hand too if you've got any?"
"What does he mean he's not a Quidditch player anymore?"
---
Ok sorry I haven't been around much lately. Well I don't think I have, I have no idea when I last posted. As you may be able to guess my head isn't working properly at the moment, got some family stuff going on and it's messing me up. So apologies for that. I'm double posting because I have no idea when I'll next get the chance.
