Saturday, 20 July, 13:45 GMT, present day
"Dammit," Phillip said as his wand flew from his hand as the Ministry Auror cast Expelliarmus.
"You have to get faster at casting the shield charm, Phil," Hans said as he shrugged at the Squib.
"Thank you for that reminder," Phil rolled his eyes as the rest of the wizards laughed.
"I think we'll call it a training day," Heath said as he picked up Phillip's wand and handed it back to him.
"Yeah, let's take an adult beverage break," Junior said as he headed toward the refrigerator. Everyone laughed as they followed him onto the patio deck.
Junior brought out four Heinekens and handed each of them a bottle. He waved his wand and all four bottle caps flew off and landed in the trash bin.
"Cheers," Junior said as the others clinked their bottles against his.
"That hit the spot," Phillip said after taking a swig from his bottle.
"Not bad today, Phillip," Hans said as he nodded at the older man. "Just have to be quicker with some of the spells."
Phillip nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Don't forget, we won't see the lad for another two weeks," Heath said.
"Oh, that's right," Hans said, "You have that exit interview with the Celtics next week."
"Yeah," Phillip nodded after drinking from his bottle. "We'll see what their offer is as to a new contract. Otherwise, it's the free-agency market, here I come."
They all laughed. Junior nodded at him, "Well, your shoulder and knee seem a lot better than before."
"Yeah, Dr. Fisher said my knee is coming along way ahead of the nine-month projection," Phillip shrugged, "We'll see."
"Well," Heath said, "At least your mind's a bit more settled. You're a lot more focused than when we first started with the wand training."
"That's true," Hans agreed.
"He does get a lot of free therapy sessions talking with us," Junior said. Everyone laughed.
"Still having those nightmares, are you?" Hans asked.
"He's having dirty dreams about our sister," Junior said as he took a gulp of his beer.
Phillip nearly choked on his sip of beer. Heath slapped his back as the others laughed good-naturedly.
"The nightmares," Phil paused to collect his thoughts, "have become more graphic. But I'm chalking it up to frustration."
"Sexual frustration," Junior quipped. His brothers chuckled as Phillip's ears started to flush.
"I have the highest regards for your sister," Phillip said, a little defensively.
"So what you're saying is that you have no real feelings for Drew, then," Heath said as his brothers seemed to lean forward, waiting for Phillip's response.
They watched as Phillip took in a deep breath. "Drew is a dear friend," Phillip said and then shrugged. "Besides, she hasn't replied to any of my voicemails or text messages in a while. I can imagine I'm the farthest thing on her mind, right now."
The Malfoy boys glanced sideways at each other as Phillip looked down at his bottle. Phillip took one last big gulp of his beer. The others followed suit. Junior had already walked back from the refrigerator with four new opened bottles. Everyone took one.
"To Drew," Junior said as he clinked bottles with everyone.
"To Drew," everyone else said in unison.
o-o-o
Friday, 26 July, 14:45 GMT, present day
Phillip took one last look at himself in the mirror as he straightened his green necktie. He ran his palms over his black single-breasted jacket and blew out a breath. 'Here goes nothing,' he thought to himself as he adjusted his ponytailed hair. He exited the downstairs bathroom. He pulled the strap of his duffle bag onto his shoulder and walked to the fireplace.
He grabbed a handful of grey ash and threw it onto the flames which turned green. He stepped into the fireplace and clearly called out the name of the Boston pub.
o-o-o
Friday, 26 July, 9:50 EDT, present day
He stepped out of another fireplace on the other side of the ocean. He looked at his watch as he stepped out of Two If by Sea. He took in another breath before adjusting the strap on his shoulder. He walked towards where a line of taxis idled as they waited for potential fares.
"TD Garden, please," Phillip said as he stepped into one of the taxis. The driver nodded before pulling away from the curb. Phillip settled in for the twenty-minute ride.
o-o-o
Friday, 26 July, 10:30 EDT, present day
Phillip had checked in with the front office staff at the top of the hour before meeting with the Celtic training staff. He found himself sitting in the exam room where his day of a battery of tests would start. He had changed into a pair of black basketball shorts and a grey sleeveless shooter shirt. He waited for the team physician to start his physical.
o-o-o
Friday, 26 July, 16:30 EDT, present day
It was a long six-hour day of diagnostics for Phillip. He had changed back into his suit and found himself sitting in the owner's office. He felt good about the workout; granted, he wasn't allowed to do any treadmill work, but his numbers on the elliptical, according to the trainer, were very good.
He loosened his tie as he waited patiently. He stood up as the door opened. He canted his head slightly, expecting the owner, but seeing the team doctor instead.
"Hi, Doctor Thiessen," Phillip said, extending his hand.
The doctor smiled as he shook his hand. "Mr. Randle wants to push tomorrow's meeting back to 3:30 p.m., Phil."
Phil shrugged, "Sure, I'll be here."
Doctor Thiessen nodded. He escorted Phillip out of the office.
o-o-o
Saturday, 27 July, 15:40 EDT, present day
Phillip sat in the waiting room of the Celtics' Front Office. He blew out a breath as he drummed his fingers on his knee. He fidgeted, picking at the sleeves of his dark blue single-breasted suit as he waited. He looked up as the team owner's door opened and a familiar face nodded at him to enter.
Raymond Brooks, Phillip's longtime agent, led him through the door. Phillip took in a breath as he looked around the room. Doctor Thiessen and the trainer that had run his diagnostics were in the room along with Mr. Lester Randle. Phillip shook hands with all three of them.
"Have a seat, Phillip," Mr. Randle said. Phillip nodded as he sat down next to his agent.
"We were looking at your diagnostic results," the club's owner began. "Decent numbers for an elliptical diagnostic."
"We also looked over your medical information from your London PT as well," Dr. Thiessen added as he tapped the brown medical file jacket that was on the coffee table in front of him.
"And, I'm sorry to say, Phillip," Mr. Randle began as Phillip took in a deep breath, "We're not satisfied with the progress."
Phillip stretched his neck, trying not to explode. "I have two more months on this rehab stint," he reminded them.
The other men in the room looked at each other. "Which doesn't help the Celtic cause, Phillip," Mr. Randle said, smirking a little, "You understand, right. It's the business of things.
"The contract team," Mr. Randle said as he waved his hand around, "has decided that re-signing you would not be in our best interest."
Phillip nodded. He smiled. "So, this team," Phillip said as he looked directly at his agent and then showed the group his mobile screen, "conferred first, and then blasted the news out on Twitter without notifying our side."
Mr. Randle pointed at Raymond Brooks, Phillip's agent. Phillip suddenly felt betrayed as he looked at his long-time agent.
"It was in everyone's best interest to walk away, Phillip," Raymond said.
"That Tweet just blacklisted me," Phillip said.
"It's nothing personal, Phillip," Mr. Randle said, shrugging. "It's just business."
"Of course it is," Phillip said. He looked around the room. He turned to Raymond, "Do you have anything to add?"
"Well, I'm afraid my services will also end at the close of this month," Raymond said.
Phillip laughed. He nodded. "I guess that's that, then," he said as he composed himself. "I appreciate the team for drafting me out of college. It was a nice nine years.
"Thanks," Phillip said as he stood up. "I hope you have the same success that you did this year. I hope you all break a leg. Good luck."
He smirked as he saw the looks on their faces as he basically delivered a backhanded compliment; basically casting a plague on all their houses. He quickly swooped up the medical file that the team's doctor referred to earlier.
"I'll take that," Phillip began as he leafed through his medical file. "And I'll grab the rest of my medical files from your office."
"That's not going to happen," Dr. Thiessen said as he stood up demanding Phillip to hand over the patient files.
"Well, unless you're blatantly not following the HIPAA laws," Phillip said as he remembered having to help Drew study for her exams. He looked at the doctor, "or you're not a real doctor, I think you'll have your office comply.
"Good day to you all," Phillip said as he showed himself out. He stood in the waiting room for a moment and then smiled to himself as he nodded at the receptionist before exiting the fourth-floor office. He headed for the lift that he would be taking to the second-floor medical office.
o-o-o
Saturday, 27 July, 18:00 EDT, present day
Phillip smiled to himself as he stepped out of the sports arena nearly two and half hours after his scheduled contract meeting. He loosened his tie as he walked down the sidewalk with two medical file jackets in his hands. He looked up at the evening sky and blew out a breath. 'It's five o'clock somewhere,' he thought to himself as he headed to the Wizarding pub.
o-o-o
Saturday, 27 July, 18:15 EDT, present day
Phillip stepped into the Two if by Sea Pub and headed to the bar. He placed the medical files on the bar and removed his jacket as he sat down on one of the barstools. He placed his jacket on the files as he looked around the busy pub. There were Muggle television sets all over the place as videos of both Muggle and Wizarding sports events flashed on the screens.
"You look like you just went through a bad break up," the middle-aged barkeeper said smiling.
Phillip laughed, "You could say that. I just got fired, I guess."
"That sucks," the barman said. "What can I get you?"
"Anything good on tap," Phillip said as he nodded.
"Sam Adams?" the barman asked as Phillip nodded. "How about something to eat?"
"What's good?" Phillip asked as he accepted the glass of beer.
"Chicken wings are always good," the older man said as Phillip nodded. "Coming right up.
"So, who fired you?" the barkeep asked.
Phillip shrugged, "The Boston Celtics. They didn't re-sign me."
"Ah, a Muggle athlete," the barman canted his head. "I don't recognize you."
"Phillip Martinez," Phil said as he took a sip of his beer. "I usually wore my hair in an afro."
"Yeah, now I see it," the barman said as he nodded. "You got injured, right?"
Phillip nodded. "I've been rehabbing back in London."
"So, the contract talks didn't go well?" the barman said as he grabbed the platter of wings from the pick-up window. He placed the food in front of Phillip.
"Thanks," Phillip said. "Not well at all. I feel like my agent threw me under the bus."
"You should fire that guy," the barman said as Phillip laughed.
"He actually quit," Phillip said as he started to eat his chicken wings.
"What a bastard. Do you want me to hex him?" the barman asked. Phillip laughed as he shook his head. The barman continued, "So what are you going to do now?"
"Take the next two months to finish my rehab and then reassess, I think," Phillip said. "Maybe work out for another team. If I'm lucky, I'll get a free-agent contract somewhere."
"Are you kidding? Any team would be salivating to get you on the roster."
"Thanks," Phillip said as he finished off his beer. He nodded at the barkeep and raised his glass.
The barman refilled his glass and placed it back on the bar. He poured himself a glass of fire whiskey. "To new beginnings," the barman said.
"Here here," Phillip said as they both took a sip of their drinks.
o-o-o
Sunday, 28 July, 1:00 EDT, present day
Phillip squinted at his watch and yawned. He had spent the last six and a half hours imbibing and conversing with the bartender about sports, Muggle and Wizarding.
"I think it's time to call it a night," Phillip said as he stood up from his stool. He blew out a breath as he steadied himself. He pulled out his wallet and handed the barkeep a credit card.
The bartender looked at it, smiled and then nodded at Phillip as he swiped the Gringotts Gold Card. Mr. Montague had gotten Phillip the card to facilitate purchases when he was away from London. Phillip gulped down the last of his fire whiskey; he had switched to hard liquor for the past hour.
The bartender handed him the sales receipt and the card. Phillip nodded as he added an enormous tip before signing the receipt.
"Thanks, man," the bartender said as he accepted the slip. "Hey, do you want me to call you a Muggle cab?"
"Nah, I'm good," Phillip said as he picked up his jacket and the two medical files. "I think I'm going to walk, clear my head and all."
"Alright, Phillip, nice meeting you man," the barkeep said extending his hand. Phillip shook it before heading to the exit.
Phillip found himself in the small entranceway of the bar as he noted the fireplaces that lined the wall. He looked at the international gateway and took a breath as he grabbed a handful of soot. He kindled the fire and walked into the green flames calling out the island address.
o-o-o
Saturday, 27 July, 21:00 HST, present day
The couple stepped out of the fireplace laughing. They stopped in their tracks when they saw the figure on the floor.
The Latino Squib nodded at the English chef. Aston shrugged as he looked at Phillip, who had arrived there two hours ago, sleeping in front of the fireplace in the fetal position.
"I guess the nightcap is out of the question," Marco said.
Aston rolled his eyes. "Help me bring him to a guestroom."
Marco nodded as he took hold of the athlete's feet. Aston pulled Phillip up by his shoulders and then nodded at Marco. The two struggled to get the 6'8" basketball player down the hall and into the first bedroom. They placed him on the bed.
Aston put his hands on his hips, blowing out a breath. He nodded at Marco as Aston pulled off one of Phillip's shoes while Marco did the other.
"Well, I guess I'll see you next Sunday, then?" Marco said. Aston laughed as he nodded for them to exit.
o-o-o
Sunday, 28 July, 08:00 HST, present day
Phillip blinked a couple of times as he tried to get used to the sunlight streaming through the curtains. For a moment he wondered if he had somehow hooked up with a one-night-stand. Then he realized that he was still fully clothed.
He yawned as he stretched. He got out of bed, wondering where he was as he didn't recognize the décor. He slowly went to the dresser and then smiled. He saw the handwritten note and the set of clothing left on the dresser.
'These should fit,' Phil read to himself. 'Grab a shower. I'm making breakfast.'
'Good old Aston,' he thought to himself. He headed to the en suite bathroom to shower.
o-o-o
Sunday, 28 July, 08:15 HST, present day
Phillip tied the drawstrings on the board shorts that Aston lent him as he exited the guestroom. He nodded at Aston who was plating the shoyu fried rice.
"Something smells good," Phillip said as he took a seat on one of the stools around the kitchen island.
"Hangover food and drink," Aston said as he poured Phillip a glass of the red liquid from a pitcher.
"Thanks," Phillip said as he took a gulp of his Bloody Mary. "So, how did I end up here?"
"That's a great question," Aston said after taking a sip of his own drink. "My date and I were wondering the same thing last night. You're lucky we didn't take advantage of you."
"Haha, very funny," Phillip said laughing.
"So, were we celebrating a successful contract meeting?" Aston asked as they both started to pile food on their plates.
Phillip shook his head as he placed two over-medium eggs on his fried rice. He grabbed three slices of bacon as well.
"How bad was it?" Aston asked. Phillip rolled his eyes as he started to vent about what had happened the day before.
o-o-o
Sunday, 28 July, 10:00 HST, present day
"Well, at least you'll have the next two months free to rehab and to find a buyer for the house, right?" Aston said as he chewed on a piece of bacon.
"I'm not so sure I'm going to go through with the sale," Phillip shrugged. "Like you said last month, there are a lot of memories."
"Cool," Aston said as he offered to take Phillip's empty plate. Phillip nodded his thanks as he watched the chef place both plates into the sink. "So, I guess your wand training can go on, then?"
"Yeah, Drew's brothers are good instructors."
"And Drew?" Aston asked, "Are you two on good terms now?"
Phillip smirked. "I think she's been busy with work."
Aston nodded. "Well, at least you're good with the Malfoys."
"Yeah, they've helped me get through a lot of stuff. They're great sounding boards," Phillip shrugged, "They're like my unofficial psychoanalysts."
Aston laughed. Phillip eventually joined in. Aston studied Phillip's face. "So, what kind of things are they counseling you about?"
"I've been having some nightmares about that night," Phillip said as he took a sip of his cocktail.
"Nightmares?" Aston asked.
"Yeah," Phillip hesitated. "About me assaulting her."
"Look, Phillip everyone knows you were under the Obliviate spell."
"I was raping her in these new nightmares," Phillip said as he looked at Aston. He didn't notice that his friend had flinched. Phillip continued, "The boys assure me that I'm just projecting. That Drew's not replying back to my messages is creating some sort of sexual frustration that's manifesting in these dreams."
"Well," Aston paused as he studied his friend's face, "Flip the switch on the dreams."
"Huh?" Phil looked puzzled.
"Just pretend she's one of your exes," Aston shrugged, "Or one of your one-night-stands."
Phillip was gobsmacked for a moment. "I," Phillip said, a little flustered, "I respect her too much, to think of her that way."
Aston canted an eyebrow, "You mean to tell me you've never fantasized about shagging her in your own bed?"
Phillip took a gulp of his Bloody Mary, trying to compose himself. He refilled his glass before looking up at Aston. "That's not a question a proper British gentleman would ask someone, let alone a friend and expect an answer."
Aston smiled at him and tipped his glass before taking a sip himself. He took in a breath and began even-toned, "I've observed you since you and your dad returned home to London. You stand up straighter and your breath hitches in your chest when Drew walked into a room.
"So, you're going to tell me that you've never felt any romantic feelings towards her?"
"Could we change the subject, please," Phil pleaded.
"Alright, mate," Aston said as they both laughed. "I can still count on you to come to the November 1st grand opening, right?"
"Yeah, thanks," Phillip nodded as he clinked his glass with Aston's.
"Cheers, mate," Aston said as Phillip nodded at him. The pair drank the rest of their hangover cures.
"It's a beautiful day in paradise, man," Phillip said as he watched Aston head to the refrigerator.
"True dat," Aston said as he raised a green bottle at his friend who nodded. "Let's go watch some boob tube."
"Pre-season football?" Phillip said.
"Yeah, that American stuff," Aston said as they both laughed heading to the living room where they would spend the next two hours vegging out before Phillip returned home to London.
o-o-o
Monday, 29 July, 05:00 GMT, present day
He yanked both of her arms above her head and slammed her wrists into the stone floor. She cried in pain.
"You're hurting me, Phil," she said as he looked down at her.
"Do you really think that I care how you feel, half-breed?" he said, icily as he pushed her right thigh open. "And my name is Kourtney. You will call me that by the end of this night."
He took in a breath and without warning, he rammed himself into her eliciting a cry of pain from her. Her eyes met his as a tear streamed down her cheek. He noticed her breath hitched.
"I guess I was wrong about the 'with benefits' part," he said with an evil grin. With that, he pumped into her repeatedly.
"Please stop, Phil," she pleaded. He felt her struggle against him.
He pulled her knees to wrap around his waist. He took in a breath as she arched her back on reflex. Her skin began to flush. He covered her, their bodies contacting each other.
"You're weakening," he whispered harshly into her left ear as he thrust into her. "Soon my revenge will be complete."
"Please, Phil," she said, shutting her eyes. "Please remember."
He lifted himself off her torso. He ran his palm over her breasts. She whimpered at his touch. He swooped down to kiss her full on her lips. He felt her struggle against him as he felt her essence escape from her.
He finally broke the kiss. She lay underneath him, taking in small breaths.
He shook his head, his vision blurred for a moment. He narrowed his eyes at her. Drew looked up at him. They both took deep breaths as they locked eyes. He sat back on his haunches.
"Please finish it, Kourtney," she said, shutting her eyes.
Phil took in a breath as he watched her breasts heave. Their surroundings suddenly changed. He recognized the familiar mahogany walls of his Boston apartment. He felt the softness of the silk sheets under his knees.
He looked down at her and gently turned her over. He ran his fingers down her spine. He could feel her tense up at his touch. He straddled her legs, adjusting himself as he hardened. He pulled her hips up, her buttocks flushed with his thighs.
"Please don't do this, Kourtney," she said softly.
Phillip ran his right hand over her stomach and then reached between her thighs. He felt her take in a breath as his fingers brushed her clit.
"It's me, Phil," he said as he kissed her neck. She turned to face him as he pushed himself into her. He paused for a moment as their eyes locked. Her eyes fluttered as he thrust into her slowly at first. He felt her push back against him, syncing with his thrusts.
"Oh, Phil," she moaned as she looked up at him.
"Drew," he said before kissing her as he climaxed into her.
o-o-o
Monday, 29 July, 05:15 GMT, present day
Phillip bolted to a seated position; his torso covered in sweat. He quickly switched his lamp on as he took in deep breaths. The recurring nightmare had a slightly different ending.
The silk sheet tented as his erection pushed out of his boxer briefs. He pulled the covers off and blew out a breath as he got out of bed. He looked at the moistened sheets and rolled his eyes. He hadn't experienced a wet dream since his secondary school days.
He quickly pulled his bedding off and walked out of his bedroom and into the bathroom. He placed the dirty sheets into the hamper. He checked his watch, a quarter after 5 am. 'Way too early to be waking up,' he thought to himself. He pulled his briefs off and tossed them into the hamper as well.
He walked into the shower. He allowed the warm water to flow over him. He took a strained breath as he finished jerking himself off.
"Think clean thoughts, Phil," he said to himself as he closed his eyes, picturing her face. He blew out a breath as he opened his eyes, turning the cold water handle on full blast. He grabbed his bar of soap and took a cold shower.
o-o-o
Monday, 29 July, 05:30 GMT, present day
Phillip changed into a pair of shorts and headed downstairs with the hamper. He threw the contents of the hamper into the washing machine and started a cycle.
He headed to the indoor weight room that he had helped his father create when they first arrived back in England. He took a seat on his exercise bike. He began slowly, trying to get his mind off of his newest dream. 'Damn Aston,' he thought as he shook his head, thinking about their conversation during the weekend.