ethanbarrowman

[ethanbarrowman]

Ethan couldn’t help but make a face at all the new information he was getting about Ian’s mum. It was hard to know what was worse in this new wave of awfulness. The possibility that she’d try to foist the blokes who rejected her onto Ian. Her seeing him as competition. Or maybe it was the idea that a university bloke had been interested in a woman who had sons his age. Creepy. “I can’t blame you. I wouldn’t either.” At least this time he had something to reply back about. Because honestly the best thing he could think to say was to agree that Ian should just avoid both of those options and keep having to deal with her trying to push birds on him. Felt like the better of the terrible options facing Ian. He’d never been so glad to have the conversation slip to school work before. Ethan laughed lightly at Ian’s words about the essays. “They were’t. It kind of did suck. So much easier writing essays in my room back home. Especially for muggle school because I used a pencil instead of a quill and ink. Took me forever to get used to writing with a quill. But I dunno why biros just didn’t work on parchment. Those are muggle pens, way easier than quills,” Ethan explained hoping he hadn’t just explained about something Ian knew about. “Not to mention there’s no lines on parchment either. One of the blokes, Dirk actually, showed me a spell when I was a first year to make temporary lines so I could write easier. Still took a long time to master parchment, quill and ink. Anyway got a bit distracted on that rant, sorry.” Ethan looked a little sheepishly over at Ian. “Wasn’t just the writing stuff that made it harder. The environment was a lot to get used to too. I will say that times when everyone was working on homework made it not so bad. Still would have preferred not so many essays.” Ethan could only contribute his going on and on about essays to nerves.

He was nervous about talking about Ian’s mum and saying the wrong thing. He was nervous about being in Ian’s room. Nervous about no one being home but him and Ian. Nervous about meting basically Ian’s whole family and some random broom guy who sounded like a rich, benevolent grandpa. Maybe even a little nervous hearing that Ian had purposefully tried to talk to him and not just brought things inn because he found the fixing cool. Despite the nerves he smiled at Ian’s words. “Working for you would probably be interesting. But a vacuum shop would not have been a big incitement. Sure I fix a lot of vacuums but I also get different things on a decent enough timeline. Admittedly mostly from you but others bring in non-vacuum things too.” The change from vacuums to talking about meeting his family felt more abrupt. Or maybe it was just those nerves again. His hands were sure feeling clammy. Ethan tried not to think too much into being the first friend. Or even the second one. He couldn’t help wondering what Ian had told them about him. Probably nothing beyond his mate from the repair shop. There wasn’t more to tell. “I agree, it will be cool. I’m excited to meet them too.” And he was. Just the excitement was under the nerves.

Ian looked over at Ethan when he said it was uncomfortable when his schoolmates would tease him about birds. Definitely not the same as Ian’s mother trying to set him up with his tutors in very obvious ways, but Ian appreciated Ethan trying to relate it to something that happened to normal people. And he appreciated Ethan sharing about something that hadn’t been fun for him either. Ian gave him a grateful smile and shrugged. “I’ve considered telling her I’m not even into birds, but then I think she’d just start trying to get me to hit on the blokes instead, at least the ones that aren’t interested in her. Which is all of them except this one idiot that Cal fired. Either that or she’d see me as competition, which might actually be worse. Not something I want to test out either way.” Birds was safest, at least there was zero chance of anything happening for him there ever. Though up until a few days ago Ian would have said there was zero chance of anything happening for him with anyone. Now there was a specific someone that maybe he might want to take a chance on. And that specific someone was in his bedroom right now. Thankfully they were talking about homework which was enough to stop Ian from panicking too much. And much better than talking about Patricia. Ian laughed at Ethan’s assessment of Hogwarts schooling. “They did tell me that, but I always sort of wondered if they were just trying to make me feel better. Guess they weren’t kidding. Which sucks for you, being in a fancy magic castle and having to sit and write essays.” Ian made a face; that was so lame. Of course adults found a way to make magic school sort of lame, even if Ian still very much wished he could have gone and written essays in a magic castle like his siblings did. 

Luckily he was once again distracted, laughing at Ethan’s retort to his comment about bringing him vacuums. “Nah, if I had a vacuum shop I would have just hired you after the third vacuum, or at least tried to cut a deal or somethin’,” he answered with a chuckle. This was good. They were joking around, laughing. Normal. Except Ethan was still standing in his bedroom at his house and they were completely alone and thinking about it made Ian’s heart start speeding up again and his hands felt kind of sweaty. “Um.” Probably a cue it was time to just get out of here and go to Al’s. Instead of suggesting that, Ian went a different direction. “Everyone’s excited to meet you. You’re the first friend of mine they’ve ever met, other than Leo. And—well Leo’s great but that was more necessity, you know, ‘cause of Dirk joining Seb for tutoring.” Ian wasn’t sure why that mattered, but it felt like it did matter, and he felt like Ethan should know that. This was special. Ethan was special. “Um. I’m excited too, for you to meet them all,” he added with a bashful smile. “It’ll be cool.”

[ethanbarrowman]

For a moment Ethan was confused about who Patricia was and why she was responsible for his changing tutors. The realization hit while Ian was talking but it didn’t make him feel any less confused. Ian’s mum hit on university students and tried to get Ian and his two older brothers to hit on the ones that were birds? That was bizarre. Ethan wasn’t sure if it was more or less bizarre than Ian having to lock his door so his mum did’t steal from him. Once again Ethan was’t sure what to say. “That stinks. I konw it’s not the same but I remember how uncomfortable it made me when my mates at school would tease me about birds. Sorry you have to deal with that.” Ian’s situation seemed worse. Thankfully his mum had never tried to even talk to him about birds or dating. He was certain he’d want to bury himself in a hole if his mum had ever mentioned him flirting with a bird. At least homework was easier to talk about. “I’m sure you’re siblings have probably said as much but even being allowed wands we still had tons of essays. Wizard education seems to be a good 75% or more of just essays.” Not having any siblings and trying to avoid the subject of school with anyone he used to go to school with Ethan did’t know how it compared to a muggle education during the same years. He just knew that he wrote way more essays during any of his Hogwarts years than all of his muggle ones put together.

Ethan laughed at Ian’s comment about it being boring bringing busted up vacuum cleaners in. But it did catch his attention in the confusing way some of the things Ian said did. Had he really just brought things in as an excuse to talk to him? More importantly did that mean something or was it just Ian’s way of making a mate? Probably just Ian’s way of making friends. That meshed better with his not being interested then the other did. It was better not to dwell on it at all. “After the third vacuum I’d have wondered if you had a cleaning business. And after more than that I think I’d probably have wondered if you did’t have a vacuum shop somewhere.” He certainly wouldn’t have thought Ian was trying to find excuses to talk to him. And not something he should be focused on while he was standing in Ian’s bedroom of all places.

“Oh—no, it’s not that….” Ian hesitated as he tried to think of how best to answer Ethan’s question about his tutors before deciding he’d already told Ethan enough truths, he might as well keep on with it. “It’s Patricia,” he admitted, eyes fixed on the books on his desk. “She, uh, tends to scare most of our tutors away. Cal usually hires students at the university, and Patty tries to hit on all the blokes and she tries to get Cal and Mac and me to hit on all the birds,” he explained, making a face. “Which obviously we don’t do, but it still makes everyone uncomfortable and so all the tutors end up quitting eventually,” he explained, shrugging his shoulders like it wasn’t a big deal that his mother was so disgusting no one wanted to stick around them for too long. He’s pretty much told Ethan as much the other night, anyways. But even homework was a better subject. “Writing essays is the worst. You’d think we’d have done enough of that in the years before we were allowed to have wands anyways, but apparently not.” Ian shrugged again. 

Ian wasn’t sure if Ethan looking at all the pictures and stuff in his room was better or worse than talking about tutoring, but it was definitely better than talking about Patricia so at least there was that. Even when Ethan found the robot, which was also maybe embarrassing that Ian still had it, but Ethan wasn’t acting like it was embarrassing. He grinned when Ethan talked about how he hadn’t been sure he’d be able to fix it either, grinning wider when Ethan said he was glad he proved him wrong. “Me too,” Ian answered, because it was something he’d been very glad to be proven wrong about. Not just because of the fixed robot, but mostly because it had started the back-and-forth that was the foundation of their friendship. Though friendship maybe wasn’t the right word anymore. Ian was pretty sure that was right, after his conversation with Mac. He was just still sort of terrified of exactly what that meant. “Would have gotten pretty boring just having to bring in busted up vacuum cleaners as an excuse to talk to you,” he joked instead of lingering on that, not quite realizing the admission in what he’d said. It was as much an admission to himself as it was to Ethan, that all the stuff to fix had really just been about spending more time with Ethan. Though he’d enjoyed finding new things to challenge Ethan with and watching him fix them all.

[ethanbarrowman]

Ethan nodded his agreement about it seeming a little unfair. “Do you have different tutors for different subjects?” Ian had said the tutor he had now which made Ethan wonder how that worked. Though now that he considered it maybe different tutors for different subjects wasn’t it. That would mean Ian was stuck on one subject at a time. Or maybe that was more efficient then trying to be like Hogwarts. Ethan really had no idea. He never would have guessed it would involve homework. “I always disliked the homework at school. Especially once I got to Hogwarts. It was pretty much all essays.” Ethan had always preferred hands on to reading and memorizing so he could pop out paragraphs of what he’d read. It was just easier for him. It would have been cool for Ian if it was ore hands-on then Hogwarts. Or maybe not, not everyone liked that.

So far Ethan’s favorite part of Ian’s room had been the pictures. They’d been cute. Plus it was fun to see Ian younger. Ian was the only person his age he knew that he hadn’t at least seen around Hogwarts if not knew somewhat. Instead those pictures were the only glimpse of what Ian looked like younger. Ethan was pretty sure if Ian had gone to Hogwarts he’d have just ended up fancying him sooner. Maybe not a bad thing they hadn’t known each other sooner. Seeing the robot on Ian’s nightstand was enough to make him forget he was thinking such things. Instead he was remembering when Ian brought the robot in. Hearing where the robot came from was surprise. Ethan had just assumed it had been one of his siblings toys. Instead this robot seemed much more significant. The first toy he’d ever owned, wow. Ethan chuckled when Ian said he didn’t think it be fixable. “Truthfully I wasn’t sure I’d be able to either. I mean you’ve seen the stuff in the shop, that’s what I’m used to fixing up. This was a lot smaller and totally different then the dozens of vacuums I’ve sorted out.” Now that he knew how special the robot seemed to be Ethan placed hit gently back o the table. “Glad I was able to prove you wrong on that one,” he added with smile. Partially because of how special it seemed to be. But also because it had been the first of many weird things Ian had brought in to be fixed. They’d all had their own special challenges and issues. He’d enjoyed it. Ian’s company too. Though that one maybe aa little too much.

Inviting Ethan along to Al’s shouldn’t have felt like such a big deal. Al was always telling them to bring their friends along, especially this year now that the kids couldn’t see their friends at school anymore. Granted there had been a lot of reasons they never took Al up on that offer: the fact that Patty often liked to invite herself along, the fact that they didn’t want to impose on Al’s generosity, not to mention it was only the younger kids who even had that many friends they’d invite in the first place. But Cal had invited Wil along a few times so it only felt fair that Ian could invite Ethan this time. He’d tried to be casual about it, but it had been a relief when Sadie and Seb decided to bring friends along as well. It wasn’t just Ian shaking things up now. Ian was a little surprised Seb brought along Dirk instead of one of his other Gryffindor mates from school, but the pair did seem like they’d become fast friends and it had to be good for Dirk to be around people who didn’t remember him as the kid who went missing from Hogwarts. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too weird for Ethan. As if Ian’s whole family situation wasn’t weird enough. That stuff wasn’t Dirk’s fault though, so Ian was glad he was coming along to hang with some kids his own age. Henry coming too would be even better, the kids could all hang out together and no one would pay attention to him and Ethan.

Except Ian was quite certain Mac would be paying attention, and probably Cal because Mac had probably told Cal about their conversation. Probably waited to do it while Ian was at work so he wouldn’t overhear them. But it would be fine. Ethan had sounded like he was curious about meeting Al and his siblings and Ian didn’t see a reason not to bring him ‘round, at least once he knew Patricia wouldn’t be there. Ian just wished he didn’t feel so nervous about seeing Ethan. Which was stupid. There was nothing to be nervous about. Ethan was great and they were mates and it just so happened that Ethan fancied Ian and Ian fancied Ethan back and had no idea how to proceed with that information except that after talking about it with Mac he was pretty sure he wanted to be more than just friends with Ethan. He just wasn’t sure what that looked like or how to get there. Other than talking to Ethan about it, probably. But that felt like a big conversation to have right before introducing Ethan to his whole family. Maybe they could talk after. 

With that settled, Ian felt a little bit less nervous as he biked to the shop, grinning when he saw Ethan waiting there with his own bike. “Hey,” Ian greeted him with a wave as he stopped his bike. For a second he considered getting off and giving Ethan a hug or something, which was weird because he usually didn’t think about what he was doing when he touched Ethan. Or did anything with Ethan. Everything felt a little off-kilter now. Except there was still that warm happy feeling he felt when he saw Ethan. “You all set?” He said with a smile, waiting for Ethan’s confirmation before he nodded and led the way back to his house. This wasn’t the first time he’d had a friend to the house, since Leo had ended up coming over to get Dirk set up to tutor here. But bringing Ethan over—because Ethan was interested in seeing the house—felt a lot different than Leo coming by with his brother. Still, Patricia had been gone already before Ian left, and they’d just be stopping in on the way to Al’s. This was fine. “Here we are,” he said when they got to the house. “Come on, we can leave our bikes in the broom shed.” He hopped off his bike and walked it around to the backyard, pulling open the broom shed for them and showing Ethan where he could park his bike. “This is the best part of the house, really,” he added as they stepped back out into the backyard.

[ethanbarrowman]

Ethan chuckled when Ian said he might be able to clean the floors faster with his broom. “I’d like to see that.” It sounded like it would be a funny sight. Probably not the best idea but certainly a fun one. At least the thought of it. He smiled when Ian said his flat wasn’t that bad. Knowing how sensitive Ian seemed to be about sound he liked that his place hadn’t been overwhelming. Despite how things had turned out he really did hope that Ian would come over again. It had been fun, well all except the embarrassing himself talking about fancying Ian. But somehow it had turned into just a small blip which was nice considering how badly it could have been. For Ethan the tutoring was pretty interesting. Maybe not the most but still interesting. He listened as Ian explained how it worked. Finding out Ian hadn’t learned what sounded like basics, writing and math, before Cal left school was a surprise. Ian was so smart that him getting a late start seemed impossible. Also unfair. The muggle world didn’t always get things, including education, right but they did seem to be better than the wizarding world in that aspect. It sounded like Ian was more concerned with Mac being ahead of him in practical magic than the things Ethan was thinking about. Ethan wasn’t sure what to say to that so he didn’t comment. “That’s pretty interesting,” he said instead because it all was to him. He also didn’t know what to say about Ian’s mum, so he again didn’t say anything. Instead he changed the subject this time. Ethan smiled when Ian talked about having his own room. As an only child Ethan had never had to worry with that. Sometimes it seemed like it would be fun to have siblings and other times he was glad he did’t. Ian started heading towards the bedrooms before Ethan said anything about being an only. Ethan listened but he wasn’t too interested in everyone else’s room. Ian’s was at the end, not something he’d have guessed but it seemed to make sense. What didn’t make sense was the lock on his door. Or his explanation for it. Did he mean his mum stole from him? Ethan had no idea what to do with that. No time to figure it out either since he was now seeing the inside of Ian’s room. That was way more interesting. It had about as many books as Ethan might have imagined if he’d ever thought of Ian’s room. Though the fancy looking ones were a surprise. The schoolbooks on the desk was too. “Do you have homework,” he asked surprised to think that tutoring would involve homework. He did his best to ignore the leather jacket and the image of Ian wearing the jacket that would have been easy to pop in his head if he’d allowed it. Instead he focused on the photos, smiling at them. He’d never seen Ian younger so it was cool to see the photos. His smile grew larger at the drawings that he supposed must have come from the youngest sister. Ethan interrupted his looking around to give Ian a smile when he said it was his. Certainly looked like Ian’s. “Yeah, it seems like—“ as he started to talk he’d gone back to looking around. Mid-sentence he caught sight of something that made him pause and grin. He took a few steps over to the nightstand and picked up the familiar looking object. “Hey, I remember this one. First toy I ever fixed. Still completely blows my mind that there’s kids out there playing with magic powered toys,” he told Ian turning around to give him a smile as he spoke.

Inviting Ethan along to Al’s shouldn’t have felt like such a big deal. Al was always telling them to bring their friends along, especially this year now that the kids couldn’t see their friends at school anymore. Granted there had been a lot of reasons they never took Al up on that offer: the fact that Patty often liked to invite herself along, the fact that they didn’t want to impose on Al’s generosity, not to mention it was only the younger kids who even had that many friends they’d invite in the first place. But Cal had invited Wil along a few times so it only felt fair that Ian could invite Ethan this time. He’d tried to be casual about it, but it had been a relief when Sadie and Seb decided to bring friends along as well. It wasn’t just Ian shaking things up now. Ian was a little surprised Seb brought along Dirk instead of one of his other Gryffindor mates from school, but the pair did seem like they’d become fast friends and it had to be good for Dirk to be around people who didn’t remember him as the kid who went missing from Hogwarts. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too weird for Ethan. As if Ian’s whole family situation wasn’t weird enough. That stuff wasn’t Dirk’s fault though, so Ian was glad he was coming along to hang with some kids his own age. Henry coming too would be even better, the kids could all hang out together and no one would pay attention to him and Ethan.

Except Ian was quite certain Mac would be paying attention, and probably Cal because Mac had probably told Cal about their conversation. Probably waited to do it while Ian was at work so he wouldn’t overhear them. But it would be fine. Ethan had sounded like he was curious about meeting Al and his siblings and Ian didn’t see a reason not to bring him ‘round, at least once he knew Patricia wouldn’t be there. Ian just wished he didn’t feel so nervous about seeing Ethan. Which was stupid. There was nothing to be nervous about. Ethan was great and they were mates and it just so happened that Ethan fancied Ian and Ian fancied Ethan back and had no idea how to proceed with that information except that after talking about it with Mac he was pretty sure he wanted to be more than just friends with Ethan. He just wasn’t sure what that looked like or how to get there. Other than talking to Ethan about it, probably. But that felt like a big conversation to have right before introducing Ethan to his whole family. Maybe they could talk after. 

With that settled, Ian felt a little bit less nervous as he biked to the shop, grinning when he saw Ethan waiting there with his own bike. “Hey,” Ian greeted him with a wave as he stopped his bike. For a second he considered getting off and giving Ethan a hug or something, which was weird because he usually didn’t think about what he was doing when he touched Ethan. Or did anything with Ethan. Everything felt a little off-kilter now. Except there was still that warm happy feeling he felt when he saw Ethan. “You all set?” He said with a smile, waiting for Ethan’s confirmation before he nodded and led the way back to his house. This wasn’t the first time he’d had a friend to the house, since Leo had ended up coming over to get Dirk set up to tutor here. But bringing Ethan over—because Ethan was interested in seeing the house—felt a lot different than Leo coming by with his brother. Still, Patricia had been gone already before Ian left, and they’d just be stopping in on the way to Al’s. This was fine. “Here we are,” he said when they got to the house. “Come on, we can leave our bikes in the broom shed.” He hopped off his bike and walked it around to the backyard, pulling open the broom shed for them and showing Ethan where he could park his bike. “This is the best part of the house, really,” he added as they stepped back out into the backyard.

[ethanbarrowman]

He was surprised when Ian added to his answer about the broom. “I could see your point a little better if you’d bought it,” Ethan admitted. He always tried to think about the things he spent his money on. But gifts felt like something different. “Gifts don’t have to be all that practical. If it mattered to him how much you used it, he’d probably have said something.” Ethan did’t know him but that felt like a reasonable thing to believe. Seeing as how he did’t know this broom maker he didn’t point out that he seemed like he wanted all the family to have their own brooms. That was the impression Ethan had. An impression formed just on the basis of him making them each their own broom so it could be wrong. “Anyway shouldn’t feel like it’s wasted. You could always fly to work,” he added with a grin. The broom wasn’t the only interesting thing. Hearing Ian say he found the house too quiet was too. “Too quiet is not something you get at my flat, that’s for sure.” As Ian knew thanks to him spending the night. Except thinking about that would lead to thinking about what happened that night and Ethan was already dong too much of that. It was better to talk about Ian’s little brother’s garden and laugh at the fact that they were both hopeless with plants.

This time it wasn’t him finding something to talk about os he didn’t think too much about something he didn’t want to in front of Ian. It was Ian sort of coming to his rescue, unknowingly thankfully. He looked at the pictures with even more interest when he found out that Ian’s brother took them. “Magical photography is still so weird to me,” he commented as they walked past a picture of some of Ian’s siblings flying around the backyard. At least they didn’t speak like paintings did. That was even weirder. It all felt like stuff you’d find in a haunted house on Halloween or something. Along with ghosts and he guessed wizards too since they were basically witches. Before he fell down that rabbit hole Ian showed him another room. It was interesting to see the room Ian learned in. “Yeah, I guess it must be with four of ya,” he said with a grin. “Do you all tutor together or separately?” Hopefully it was okay to ask about it. He couldn’t help being curious how it worked, he didn’t know anyone else who had gotten tutored. The kitchen was pretty standard so what really caught his attention was the edge in Ian’s voice when he mentioned his mum. If Ethan knew anyone who had problems with their mums they didn’t talk about it so this was new to him. Clearly not a subject to ask more about. “It’s a big house, Guess it ought to be with how many of you there are. One of the blokes in my old neighborhood had a big family but they were all squashed up. This is nice.” Not that Ian didn’t know about being squashed up, they’d lived in a flat before he’d said. It was no wonder they’d gotten a big house when they could.

Inviting Ethan along to Al’s shouldn’t have felt like such a big deal. Al was always telling them to bring their friends along, especially this year now that the kids couldn’t see their friends at school anymore. Granted there had been a lot of reasons they never took Al up on that offer: the fact that Patty often liked to invite herself along, the fact that they didn’t want to impose on Al’s generosity, not to mention it was only the younger kids who even had that many friends they’d invite in the first place. But Cal had invited Wil along a few times so it only felt fair that Ian could invite Ethan this time. He’d tried to be casual about it, but it had been a relief when Sadie and Seb decided to bring friends along as well. It wasn’t just Ian shaking things up now. Ian was a little surprised Seb brought along Dirk instead of one of his other Gryffindor mates from school, but the pair did seem like they’d become fast friends and it had to be good for Dirk to be around people who didn’t remember him as the kid who went missing from Hogwarts. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too weird for Ethan. As if Ian’s whole family situation wasn’t weird enough. That stuff wasn’t Dirk’s fault though, so Ian was glad he was coming along to hang with some kids his own age. Henry coming too would be even better, the kids could all hang out together and no one would pay attention to him and Ethan.

Except Ian was quite certain Mac would be paying attention, and probably Cal because Mac had probably told Cal about their conversation. Probably waited to do it while Ian was at work so he wouldn’t overhear them. But it would be fine. Ethan had sounded like he was curious about meeting Al and his siblings and Ian didn’t see a reason not to bring him ‘round, at least once he knew Patricia wouldn’t be there. Ian just wished he didn’t feel so nervous about seeing Ethan. Which was stupid. There was nothing to be nervous about. Ethan was great and they were mates and it just so happened that Ethan fancied Ian and Ian fancied Ethan back and had no idea how to proceed with that information except that after talking about it with Mac he was pretty sure he wanted to be more than just friends with Ethan. He just wasn’t sure what that looked like or how to get there. Other than talking to Ethan about it, probably. But that felt like a big conversation to have right before introducing Ethan to his whole family. Maybe they could talk after. 

With that settled, Ian felt a little bit less nervous as he biked to the shop, grinning when he saw Ethan waiting there with his own bike. “Hey,” Ian greeted him with a wave as he stopped his bike. For a second he considered getting off and giving Ethan a hug or something, which was weird because he usually didn’t think about what he was doing when he touched Ethan. Or did anything with Ethan. Everything felt a little off-kilter now. Except there was still that warm happy feeling he felt when he saw Ethan. “You all set?” He said with a smile, waiting for Ethan’s confirmation before he nodded and led the way back to his house. This wasn’t the first time he’d had a friend to the house, since Leo had ended up coming over to get Dirk set up to tutor here. But bringing Ethan over—because Ethan was interested in seeing the house—felt a lot different than Leo coming by with his brother. Still, Patricia had been gone already before Ian left, and they’d just be stopping in on the way to Al’s. This was fine. “Here we are,” he said when they got to the house. “Come on, we can leave our bikes in the broom shed.” He hopped off his bike and walked it around to the backyard, pulling open the broom shed for them and showing Ethan where he could park his bike. “This is the best part of the house, really,” he added as they stepped back out into the backyard.

[ethanbarrowman]

While Ethan had a dad who could likely build a car from scratch it was still trippy to hear someone talk about a broom being made for someone. His limited experience with brooms were the wonky ones at Hogwarts and seeing the ones at the quidditch shops when he passed by. None of those were made for any one specific. But of course a quidditch player would have custom brooms, that seemed reasonable. Cooler was the fact that the whole family had brooms made just for them. “That’s really cool. Don’t think I know anyone else with a broom made just for them. You like it?” Ethan wondered if it had been just a model the bloke made and he made one for each of them or if they were made to measure or however you made a bespoke broom. Either way it was really cool. His wondering about it had more to do with wondering how one might go about making a bespoke broom. But then again he didn’t know how brooms were made so it did’t really matter. He smiled wider when Ian talked about how it was hard to believe it was theirs. “Yeah, it’s gotta be a big difference going from a flat to a detached house.” His flat wasn’t that much different than the house he’d grown up in. Two shared walls instead of one, and people under and above him. But it felt more similar than a detached house. It was interesting to find out that it was Ian’s little brother was the gardener. He smiled at the obvious pride in Ian’s voice when he talked about it. “That’s cool. I never had the patience for herbology. Most of the work is the plant doing it.”

Ethan followed Ian when he indicated to. “Yeah that sounds nice,” he told Ian about the offer of a tour. It was clear that several people lived here. But it was nice. Like a slightly more chaotic version of Connor’s house. Understandably given there were even more people here than in Connor’s family. He looked at the photos hanging up, finally seeing faces to all the names Ian talked about. He turned and smiled at Ian when the other offered to show him his room. “Yeah, that’d be cool.” Ethan couldn’t help but be curious about what Ian’s room might look like. He also couldn't help but second guess seeing the room. It was dumb. He’d seen lots of his mates rooms. It wasn’t anything. Maybe it might be if only Ian lived here but he didn’t. Ethan could understand your room being the one place that was your space. Now that he had his own place t wasn’t the same. But again, this wasn’t Ian’s own place. It wasn’t ay different than the first time he'd gone to Connor’s house and saw his room. Except he had gotten over his small hint of a fancy he’d had on Connor both easily and with little awkwardness. And without having to tell Connor about it. So maybe a little different.

Inviting Ethan along to Al’s shouldn’t have felt like such a big deal. Al was always telling them to bring their friends along, especially this year now that the kids couldn’t see their friends at school anymore. Granted there had been a lot of reasons they never took Al up on that offer: the fact that Patty often liked to invite herself along, the fact that they didn’t want to impose on Al’s generosity, not to mention it was only the younger kids who even had that many friends they’d invite in the first place. But Cal had invited Wil along a few times so it only felt fair that Ian could invite Ethan this time. He’d tried to be casual about it, but it had been a relief when Sadie and Seb decided to bring friends along as well. It wasn’t just Ian shaking things up now. Ian was a little surprised Seb brought along Dirk instead of one of his other Gryffindor mates from school, but the pair did seem like they’d become fast friends and it had to be good for Dirk to be around people who didn’t remember him as the kid who went missing from Hogwarts. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too weird for Ethan. As if Ian’s whole family situation wasn’t weird enough. That stuff wasn’t Dirk’s fault though, so Ian was glad he was coming along to hang with some kids his own age. Henry coming too would be even better, the kids could all hang out together and no one would pay attention to him and Ethan.

Except Ian was quite certain Mac would be paying attention, and probably Cal because Mac had probably told Cal about their conversation. Probably waited to do it while Ian was at work so he wouldn’t overhear them. But it would be fine. Ethan had sounded like he was curious about meeting Al and his siblings and Ian didn’t see a reason not to bring him ‘round, at least once he knew Patricia wouldn’t be there. Ian just wished he didn’t feel so nervous about seeing Ethan. Which was stupid. There was nothing to be nervous about. Ethan was great and they were mates and it just so happened that Ethan fancied Ian and Ian fancied Ethan back and had no idea how to proceed with that information except that after talking about it with Mac he was pretty sure he wanted to be more than just friends with Ethan. He just wasn’t sure what that looked like or how to get there. Other than talking to Ethan about it, probably. But that felt like a big conversation to have right before introducing Ethan to his whole family. Maybe they could talk after. 

With that settled, Ian felt a little bit less nervous as he biked to the shop, grinning when he saw Ethan waiting there with his own bike. “Hey,” Ian greeted him with a wave as he stopped his bike. For a second he considered getting off and giving Ethan a hug or something, which was weird because he usually didn’t think about what he was doing when he touched Ethan. Or did anything with Ethan. Everything felt a little off-kilter now. Except there was still that warm happy feeling he felt when he saw Ethan. “You all set?” He said with a smile, waiting for Ethan’s confirmation before he nodded and led the way back to his house. This wasn’t the first time he’d had a friend to the house, since Leo had ended up coming over to get Dirk set up to tutor here. But bringing Ethan over—because Ethan was interested in seeing the house—felt a lot different than Leo coming by with his brother. Still, Patricia had been gone already before Ian left, and they’d just be stopping in on the way to Al’s. This was fine. “Here we are,” he said when they got to the house. “Come on, we can leave our bikes in the broom shed.” He hopped off his bike and walked it around to the backyard, pulling open the broom shed for them and showing Ethan where he could park his bike. “This is the best part of the house, really,” he added as they stepped back out into the backyard.

[ethanbarrowman]

Ethan wasn’t sure how to act around Ian any more. Things felt different. Except they weren’t. Ian wanted to stay mates so they should’t have been different. But even this, getting invited to meet his siblings and this Al person, who Ethan hoped was’t a creep but wasn’t so sure on, felt like something different. Or maybe he was just being dumb. He’d gone to loads of mates’s houses. Met parents and siblings. Been to Connor’s so much that his brother felt the need to include Ethan in his big, ‘be careful’, speech before they’d gone back to school after he’d graduated. There was absolutely no reason why this should be any different. Other than his big fat fancy that he didn’t know how to get rid of. But Ethan did not want to ruin his friendship with Ian so he’d have to find a way to get over it. And a way to act normal meeting all these very important people in Ian’s life. At least it kept his mind off of worrying about introducing Ian to his parents. Instead he was bouncing between worrying about acting normal around Ian after his confession and worrying about seeing Dirk again. Not any older than the last time Ethan saw him despite it being years. That was weird enough to help take the edge off the whole awkward confession of fancying leading to an introduction of family despite Ian not being interested.

Thankfully he didn’t have too long overthinking all of those things before Ian was showing up. After the hellos Ethan followed Ian along to the other’s house. He was curious to see it. Ethan was glad they were both on bikes because it made it easier not to talk just to ride. Not that he minded talking to Ian. He just was nervous about coming off weird now. The house was oddly normal looking for one where a quidditch player lived. It looked like any of the houses over where Connor lived or nicer versions of the ones in his neighborhood. Ethan followed Ian’s lead and hopped off his bike and walked it around to what was a nice backyard. Still seemed small for a quidditch players place though. ��Wow, that’s a lot of brooms. No wonder you’ve got a broom shed.” Ethan carefully left his bike beside Ian’s and stepped back out. “Are all of those your brother’s?” Maybe he had to have a lot of brooms. Ethan didn’t know how all that worked. He hadn’t been on a broom since school. “You’ve got a nice house. Great backyard.” Ethan wondered if they were going to go inside or just go to wherever the floo was. But he didn’t ask. Instead he looked around the backyard some more. It really was a great backyard. Now that he was past the play in the yard age he didn’t mind not having a yard. But it had been very important to him when he was younger. “Do you garden,” he asked when he spotted a little garden. Ian had never mentioned it but that did’t mean he did’t. Though Ethan wasn’t sure how he’d find the time. Still it wouldn’t surprise him to find out Ian did it all, working too many jobs and gardening.

Inviting Ethan along to Al’s shouldn’t have felt like such a big deal. Al was always telling them to bring their friends along, especially this year now that the kids couldn’t see their friends at school anymore. Granted there had been a lot of reasons they never took Al up on that offer: the fact that Patty often liked to invite herself along, the fact that they didn’t want to impose on Al’s generosity, not to mention it was only the younger kids who even had that many friends they’d invite in the first place. But Cal had invited Wil along a few times so it only felt fair that Ian could invite Ethan this time. He’d tried to be casual about it, but it had been a relief when Sadie and Seb decided to bring friends along as well. It wasn’t just Ian shaking things up now. Ian was a little surprised Seb brought along Dirk instead of one of his other Gryffindor mates from school, but the pair did seem like they’d become fast friends and it had to be good for Dirk to be around people who didn’t remember him as the kid who went missing from Hogwarts. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too weird for Ethan. As if Ian’s whole family situation wasn’t weird enough. That stuff wasn’t Dirk’s fault though, so Ian was glad he was coming along to hang with some kids his own age. Henry coming too would be even better, the kids could all hang out together and no one would pay attention to him and Ethan.

Except Ian was quite certain Mac would be paying attention, and probably Cal because Mac had probably told Cal about their conversation. Probably waited to do it while Ian was at work so he wouldn’t overhear them. But it would be fine. Ethan had sounded like he was curious about meeting Al and his siblings and Ian didn’t see a reason not to bring him ‘round, at least once he knew Patricia wouldn’t be there. Ian just wished he didn’t feel so nervous about seeing Ethan. Which was stupid. There was nothing to be nervous about. Ethan was great and they were mates and it just so happened that Ethan fancied Ian and Ian fancied Ethan back and had no idea how to proceed with that information except that after talking about it with Mac he was pretty sure he wanted to be more than just friends with Ethan. He just wasn’t sure what that looked like or how to get there. Other than talking to Ethan about it, probably. But that felt like a big conversation to have right before introducing Ethan to his whole family. Maybe they could talk after. 

With that settled, Ian felt a little bit less nervous as he biked to the shop, grinning when he saw Ethan waiting there with his own bike. “Hey,” Ian greeted him with a wave as he stopped his bike. For a second he considered getting off and giving Ethan a hug or something, which was weird because he usually didn’t think about what he was doing when he touched Ethan. Or did anything with Ethan. Everything felt a little off-kilter now. Except there was still that warm happy feeling he felt when he saw Ethan. “You all set?” He said with a smile, waiting for Ethan’s confirmation before he nodded and led the way back to his house. This wasn’t the first time he’d had a friend to the house, since Leo had ended up coming over to get Dirk set up to tutor here. But bringing Ethan over—because Ethan was interested in seeing the house—felt a lot different than Leo coming by with his brother. Still, Patricia had been gone already before Ian left, and they’d just be stopping in on the way to Al’s. This was fine. “Here we are,” he said when they got to the house. “Come on, we can leave our bikes in the broom shed.” He hopped off his bike and walked it around to the backyard, pulling open the broom shed for them and showing Ethan where he could park his bike. “This is the best part of the house, really,” he added as they stepped back out into the backyard.

[ethanbarrowman]

middlefletcher​:

Ethan, 

I do! I think muggles are more impressive, figuring all that cool stuff out without magic. Plus, I dunno, I grew up with magic so obviously its different, but I also couldn’t actually do any magic until a couple years ago and I’m still pretty rubbish at it so I end up doing a lot of things the muggle way anyways but without all the cool muggle stuff. Like films! Good thing I have you now to show me all the cool stuff like that. Yeah, it sucks muggles and wizards have that kind of shitty stuff in common. Guess it’s just people stuff. I think I would too, I mean he’s your best mate so he’s gotta be a cool bloke. You’re sure you fancy me and not him? That’d be rad! Hopefully Connor will also think I’m normal. They are, yeah. I dunno what I’d do without them. What do you mean you don’t know why? You’re an interesting bloke. For a lot of reasons. 

Thanks. Maybe it’s better only one of them is actually an auror. I guess not. Feels kind of lame to have them though. I think theirs are probably similar to mine. They’re usually just about everything falling apart and something happening to Cal or Mac or the kids. Mac’s are probably worse now, actually. I had a nightmare last night about him getting killed by Death Eaters and then Cal quitting quidditch to fight them and then him getting killed by Death Eaters too and I was left in charge of everyone. Cal would never actually do that but I dunno, the Death Eaters attacked his quidditch team a while back. If he’s in danger and Mac’s in danger…I dunno. It’s just scary a lot of the time. I’m glad you’re out of the scary castle, at least. 

Ian

Ian,

I won’t deny that I think muggles are too. But there are some really amazing things wizards have figured out. I bet you’re not as rubbish as you think. It took me a while to get the hang of magic. I still do a lot of things the muggle way. I’m happy to show you all the cool muggle stuff. I guess, sucks people can’t be better. He is a cool bloke. He’s basically family now. I’m sure he’ll think you’re great. You’re both really cool blokes. Thanks, I’m glad you think I’m interesting. You are too.

I still think you’d like both of them. And them you. Death Eaters are terrifying. I worry about Connor and about my parents because I’ve heard they attack muggles. But I never see anything in the muggle papers about it so it’s weird. But it’s still scary. I don’t blame you having nightmares about all of that. Especially now that you know Mac is fighting them. I think if you were in charge of everyone you’d all be fine. Obviously not great because of the reasons why you’d be left in charge. But I just think you’d do a good job if you had to step up like that. I hope it doesn’t happen. Wish there was something I could say that would hep but it’s really scary, I get it even if I don’t worry about the same things as you do.

Ethan

[ethanbarrowman]

middlefletcher​:

Ethan,

Yeah, it doesn’t seem like they do. Which is stupid. Muggleborns are cool, and muggle stuff is interesting. I mean wizards haven’t come up with anything like Indiana Jones. The people in Knockturn aren’t all bad either, at least they don’t start off bad. The problem is when people get stuck there it turns them bad. Maybe if other people had help like we did they wouldn’t get stuck there and they’d turn out okay, you know? Makes sense that it was nice to have mates who understood. He sounds like it, you should introduce me to him too! Do you? I dunno about that, but I’m glad you at least think I’m normal. That makes sense. That’s how I feel about my siblings. Yep, you’re one of the most interesting people I know. I bet your parents must be interesting too, it’ll be cool to meet them. 

They wanted to be aurors to help people? In my experience aurors always made things worse, but it’s nice they want to help people. Having some good blokes as aurors is probably a good thing. Oh. I’m glad you don’t think it’s lame. It’s just sort of normal for me. I think Cal and Mac get them sometimes too, some nights I can hear them wake up or I dunno, just breathing too loud, like they’re scared about something. I don’t blame you for getting them being in that castle after Dirk disappeared. Glad they went away.

Ian

Ian,

Glad you think so too. About muggle stuff being interesting. Wizards have a lot of amazing things but I like to think muggles do too. Like films. That makes sense that they don’t start off bad. Shame with all the resources wizards seem to have that they can’t get more help. But muggles have stuff like that too. People who don’t get much help even though it seems like they should be able to. It’s a shitty thing for them to have in common. Yeah, totally! I think you’d like Connor. We could all go out to eat or something. I do tink you’re normal. Yeah, family is important. I’m glad you’ve got your siblings. I dunno why you’d think that but thanks. Glad you’re not here to see me looking like an idiot over that. I think they are. Still nervous about you meeting them though.

Yep! That is terrible, I’m sorry that’s been your experience. I feel like it should be. Only one is an auror but they’re both still great blokes. Not at all. You can’t help nightmares. Hate that it’s normal for you though. Nightmares are awful. Do they? I hope things get better for all three of you. Yeah, it made the castle feel real scary. It was scary first year too so it just made it worse. Thankfully I haven’t had any since I’ve graduated.

Ethan

[ethanbarrowman]

middlefletcher​:

Ethan,

Well that’s even worse, but I bet you’re right about that. Sounds about right, anyways. Glad you had some good mates in your corner to help you through that. I think you might be the only person in the world who thinks I’m normal, but thanks. I reckon normal’s overrated, anyways. You really think I’m normal?? Yeah, you’ll get on great. I get that, about not wanting to risk it. Can’t blame you for worrying about that. At least they can help with your other secret. Of course it’s a good thing! I just meant you’ve never talked about anything where I was wishing you would stop talking about it. You always have interesting stuff to say, whatever you’re talking about. Rad! Oh. Yeah, that’s a good point. I can let you know when I’m off about a week ahead of time. 

Clearly you took some tips from those mates of yours. Thanks. I know he’s not any happier about it. 

Ha! Yeah, he does, wild how that all worked out isn’t it? I’m glad too, but yeah, feels like we finally got away from all that and now Mac’s stuck in something just as bad, maybe worse. I hope you’re right. Just hope being aurors doesn’t change that. Good, glad I don’t have to try to talk you out of it or anything. It’s alright, I’m sort of used to it by now. I’ve pretty much always had nightmares. Which sounds pretty lame, probably. 

Ian

Ian,

Kind of is, yeah. The wizarding world just doesn’t seem like it gives much thought to muggleborns in general. Or other wizards I guess either, at least those from Knockturn. It’s the impression I’ve gotten from talking to you anyway. Thanks! They helped a lot. Especially Dirk and Leo cause they understood better than Connor could. But eh’s also a great bloke. Maybe you should meet him before my parents. I find that hard to believe but you’re welcome. Yeah, you seem normal to me. A little interesting but nothing that would make you not normal. Thanks, I hope so. I don’t have siblings or even other relatives who know about me so my parents are all I’ve got really. Life would feel really different without them. Yeah, I’m grateful that they do help with that. I’m glad that you find me interesting to talk to. I like talking to you for the same reason. Yeah, that should work. Are we really doing this? Meeting my parents?

Apparently so. You’re welcome. That stinks for both of you.

It is very wild. Glad it worked out. That sounds terrible. They’ve always been great blokes, fair. I don’t think they’d have changed for a job. They both wanted to be aurors to make things better, help people. Do what’s right. That sort of thing. No, you don’t have to worry about that. It doesn’t sound lame. I can’t imagine always having nightmares, it doesn’t sound good at all. I hope you finally get some sense of safety where you won’t have nightmares. I remember when I had them back in first year and then after Dirk disappeared. They suck!

Ethan

[ethanbarrowman]

middlefletcher​:

Ethan, 

Ha! Yeah, it does. Weird to think someday people will talk about the stuff we’re used to as history. Maybe, seems like a screw up on their part though not to fill the muggleborns in. I don’t really know what pre-Hogwarts looks like for normal wizards either. Good! No reason he wouldn’t like Mac, he’s great. I’m sure you’ll like him too when you meet him Saturday. I’ll have to tell him you’re mates with Connor. Oh. I dunno, you obviously know them and I don’t, but it could also be that now they know about magic they could roll with just about anything else. That’s good, having good people helping you makes a big difference when you’re in a shit situation. Nah, you don’t talk about anything too much. Glad you agree! Whatever and whenever you’re up for, I’m there.

Nah, you shouldn’t, like I said you didn’t do anything wrong. Yeah…shit, I hate realizing we’re doing the same thing and it’s the same wrong thing. For a bloke who doesn’t have siblings I think you’re making some really good points here. Maybe I’ll try talking to Mac again. 

Yeah, that’s what they said they were gonna do. I dunno if it actually would have been Azkaban but if they could have sent a whole crew of Knockturn kids and teenagers off that would have been the perfect excuse, breaking into Puddlemere and stealing some fancy broom prototype. I’m glad he didn’t too, obviously. Scary to think how close we came to that happening. Glad your friends at least don’t say Knockturn kids are trash, even if they think it. I wonder if they’d approve of me being your friend. They’re not wrong to warn you away from Knockturn, at least, I’d say the same thing. I still have nightmares about ending up back there, so definitely not someplace to go by choice.

Ian

Ian,

Yeah, it is weird. I didn’t get the impression anyone really cared about filling muggleborns in. Less screw up and more didn’t see the need. We were just sort of expected to keep up. Don’t say normal wizards, you’re plenty normal even if you didn’t get to go to whatever wizard primary is. He sounds it, I’m sure I will like him. For sure! Maybe that’ll help him like me. You make a good point. I just don’t know if I’m ready to risk it. I’d be risking a lot. Yeah, it does help. Not sure how I would have kept the secret if they’d just made me do it on my own. I hope that’s a good thing, it seems like it would be. I’ll try to figure something out. Though we do have to work around your work schedule too.

Sorry! I did have a lot of mates who had really good siblings. And were really good siblings. Best of luck if you do, I’m sure it’ll turn out well. Can’t imagine he is any happier than you are about everything.

Wait? Does’t he play for Puddlemere now? Sorry that’s just sort of interesting. I’m glad that hhe did’t get sent to Azkaban. I can see why you were worried about Mac, you’ve already been through that stress once. I don’t believe they think it either! They’re good blokes. Yeah, I’ve never felt compelled to go. I’m sorry you have nightmares about it. That sounds rough.

Ethan

[ethanbarrowman]

middlefletcher​:

Ethan,

It does weirdly make sense that a ghost taught history, I mean because he probably lived through all of it. But sounds like maybe he needs to update what he’s talking about. I’ll bet he did tell Connor to keep quiet about it, because that’s shady as hell too getting kids right out of school. While they’re still in school. Right? Wish they knew each other a better way but I guess it’s nice they know each other. At least I’m assuming Connor and Mac get on well. They were both too young. Yeah, I get how it might be different. I’m glad they’re good about the magic, at least. Oh, okay. No, you don’t talk about them too much! I hope it didn’t sound like I was suggesting that. I’m just curious about them is all, think it’d be fun to meet them. Plus you’re gonna meet Al and Cal and all the kids, only seems fair I get to meet your family next. 

Sure do! Nah, I don’t think it was necessarily sketchy. It’s just something that would be sketchy on Knockturn and sometimes that’s still my gut reaction, you know? You didn’t do anything wrong. Maybe you’re right. I mean, I know you’re right. Logically I know you’re right. I just don’t wanna make problems for anyone, we’ve got enough of those as it is. I did talk to Mac the other day though. I don’t wanna be mad at him because I know all this isn’t his fault, but it feels shitty that he kept that from me all this time. …I guess he was doing the same thing I just told you I do, huh? Thanks for listening. 

Yeah, Azkaban. He was ten, remember how I mentioned he almost got into trouble and then Al saw him flying and sent him to Hogwarts and got us out of Knockturn? Well he took a job with a gang that ended up being an attempt to steal Al’s newest broom from Puddlemere, Cal was just a lookout but when they got busted he took the broom and led the aurors on a chase for a while before they caught him. They were gonna put him in Azkaban for that, would have if Al didn’t get him and all the kids in the gang released instead. And those aurors were jerks, calling them all Knockturn trash, would have loved to see them all get locked away. I’m glad your mates aren’t like that, but some of the blokes they work with probably are. 

Ian

Ian,

Ha! That’s a good point. The downside is history keeps happening so we’ve missed a big chunk of time. Though some had heard about Dumbledore so maybe it’s just us muggleborns missing a chunk. I still don’t understand how pre-Hogwarts works for wizards. Connor didn’t say otherwise so I got the impression he liked Mac. Yeah, it’s also maybe the magic is their limit. I mean how much can two regular people take? I dunno if I wanna to find that out. Me too. It was weird and kind of scary but I at least had them trying to make the best of things and helping me lie to everyone. Which sucked but they were great about that. Good, I’m glad I don’t talk about them too much. I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging about my parents or anything. That’s true, I hadn’t thought about that. Guess it is fair. We’ll have to figure out how and when. I can’t believe you want to meet my parents and it’s going to happen. I feel weird about this. I also feel really nervous about meeting your family.

Can’t blame you for that. I still feel bad that I freaked you out that first time. Yeah, it does sound like he’s doing the same thing. Glad you talked to him and hopefully you can find a way not to feel shitty about it. Maybe given the problems Mac not talking to you caused you can see why talking to them won’t make problems. At least not ay problems that aren’t already there. But I don’t have siblings or a similar upbringing so I might not know.

When you said he got into trouble I had no idea it was Azkaban trouble. But do they really send 10 year olds to prison? For stealing a broom? That feels excessive. I’m glad Cal did’t end up going. That’s terrible about the aurors. I’ve never heard either of them call Knockturn trash. They did tell us not to go there. But they said it was dangerous and that we had no business being there. Not to let curiosity lead us into trouble. That sort of thing.

Ethan

[ethanbarrowman]

middlefletcher​:

Ethan,

Wait, your professor died? Is this that ghost professor that Seb and Sadie say is really boring? Yeah, looking back on it now it seems really fucked up. I bet no one else knows, why else would he have made us keep it all quiet for him? Oh wow. I can’t believe your mate and Mac are doing that stuff together. I can believe Dumbledore’s getting to kids right before they graduate. Yeah, I do. It’s cool your parents have been so good about it. Maybe they’d also be great about you being gay, if you decided to tell them. Sure, is that weird? It’s just I’ve heard a lot bout them and they sound nice and I’m curious. 

Ha! It is kind of funny to think of you robbing someone now I know you. But at the time you knew my bike was broken and you invited me into the back room of some shop that was already closed, for all I knew it could have been some plot to mug me. Don’t be sorry, not your fault. I dunno. They’d say it doesn’t bug them, I know that. And it doesn’t bug me when the younger kids ask me about stuff. It’s just Mac and Cal especially have so much on their plates I feel like my stuff isn’t that important, you know? The best thing I can do is just stay out of their way. Sometimes I talk to Mac anyways, or he’ll get stuff out of me. Otherwise I just talk to no one, I guess. I talked to you the other night, that was nice. Yeah, no offense to your mates, just they were always more of a problem than a help for us. I mean, Cal almost got sent to Azkaban until Al decided to help him out instead. Those aurors would have loved to lock up a bunch of Knockturn kids. 

Ian

Ian,

Yeah, Professor Binns, the ghost professor. He teaches history. That’s a good point. Pretty sure he told Connor to be quiet about it too. Seems to be his thing. Yeah, it’s gotta be the weirdest way two people know each other. I couldn’t believe Dumbledore was doing that when he told me but now it seems not so bad compared to what else he’s up to. Connor was too young, your brother even more so. Yeah, I’m glad about that even though I know it’s weird and confusing for them. It’s sort of different though. But maybe. They’ve met most of my other mates so no. I just wasn’t expecting it. Sorry if I talk about my parents too much but I’m sure they’d like you. It just feels weird because I fancy you.

Glad you agree. Really? Was that sketchy? I guess maybe I could have fixed it outside. I didn’t think it would be scary. I think if they say it doesn’t and it doesn’t bug you when others do it then it probably doesn’t bug them. Your stuff is important too. From what you’ve told me I think maybe they wouldn’t want you staying out of their way. I’m glad you decided to talk to me. You should talk to someone. Azkaban? That’s the prison right? How old was he? And what happened? I can’t say for sure but I feel like Kingsley and Jacob aren’t like that. I just can’t see them being happy about locking kids up.

Ethan

[ethanbarrowman]

middlefletcher​:

Ethan,

Yeah, must have been. Poor bloke. Yeah, it was hard, especially Cal. It was the first time we’d ever been without him. And alone with Patricia. Yeah, I guess so. Weird they didn’t teach you about the war, don’t you think? Whatever the reason he’s definitely not a good bloke. Yeah, you read that right. He was nine, I was eight. Didn’t seem that weird at the time because kids have to do all kinds of stuff for the gangs on Knockturn. It was just scary. Still, it went on for so long, at some point you’d think I’d have said something to Cal or Al. I dunno. Fucking hell, he got your mate Connor too??? Shit. That’s so fucked up, even asking some kid at his school right when he’s about to graduate. I hope your mate’s okay. Weird he knows Mac, even weirder how he knows Mac. Wait, how’d you find out they know each other? Nope, it’s entirely your choice. That’s a good idea, asking Dirk. You could be onto something there, seeing someplace that hasn’t totally changed could be real good for him. If you’re bringing wizards home could I meet them sometime? 

Yeah, some stuff is hard to shake. Honestly, I wondered why you were being so nice. I was a little worried you were gonna rob me, but then you didn’t and you fixed up my bike and you were so cool I guess I felt like popping back by to see you again would be okay. And I’m glad I did! Yeah, that’s how I feel about Cal and Mac, except sometimes I feel like I don’t wanna bug them with my shit since they’ve got so much going on. Yeah, that does help a little. I guess if they were good blokes before they became aurors maybe they aren’t so bad now. For aurors, anyways.

Ian

Ian,

That makes sense. Is your mum really that bad though? Shit. Maybe except I don’t think the professor taught us anything that happened after he died. Clearly not! Fucking hell, nine. That’s so wrong! Nah, you were worried and I’m sure you did what you thought was right. Dumbledore was really wrong for that. I wonder if anyone knows he did that. Connor had told me what he was up to before and then when you told me about Mac I thought maybe it might be the same thing. I talked to Connor and we figured out that he knew Mac and it was the same thing. Apparently he talks a lot of people into doing stuff right before graduation. You think so? I hope he decides to go for it. My parents don’t always understand magic but they’ve been great about it. And I know they’ll be so happy he’s alive. You want to meet my parents? Not really bringing wizards home. That sure sounds like ….maybe that’s just because I fancy you. Sure, if you want. Why do you want? This is normal right? Probably yeah.

Makes sense. Rob you? Shit! I need you to know how much I laughed when I read that. I don’t think anyone’s ever worried about me robbing them. Sorry you worried about that. I’m glad you did too! Do you really think it bugs them? Who do you talk to then? Good. Ha! I’ll have to try and remember that you aren’t fond of aurors.

Ethan

[ethanbarrowman]

middlefletcher​:

Ethan,

Yeah, I’ll bet! Bullies with wands have gotta be worse than bullies without wands. Let alone loud bullies with wands. Thanks, I am too. I can’t blame him either. I’d be lost if something happened to one of my siblings. It was hard enough when Cal went off to Hogwarts, and then when Seb and Sadie started going. I can’t imagine any of them just being gone though. Especially if it was just two of us. Huh. I mean I guess stopping a war is pretty big. Maybe he was okay back then and all that power and praise went to his head or something. Or he was always bad and hid it well. Mac was just ten. It was terrifying. I still feel like I should have told Cal, or even Al. But I dunno, then maybe Seb and Sadie wouldn’t have gotten to go to Hogwarts. Yeah, I get that, you’d want to time that right. Not something you have to decide on now or anything, at least. Do you think you’ll be able to tell them Dirk’s back or is that too much weird magic stuff? I guess it can be hard to understand all the sibling stuff without having one. But yeah, it sounds horrible. At least he’s got a lot of people who are happy to see him, even if it is weird for everyone.

No, it’s not like that. I know you’re friendly and nice. It’s just, on Knockturn everyone who seemed nice always had an ulterior motive. You couldn’t trust nice. I know that’s not how it works everywhere, but it’s hard to shake. Takes me a little time to trust that someone’s just being nice because they’re nice. But I trust you, I hope I haven’t give you a reason to question that. All those blokes you’re mates with do seem like they’re good blokes too. Don’t know Leo’s mates, though the names sound kind of familiar so he’s probably mentioned them before. Wait, you’re mates with an auror? And an almost auror? You figured right, I’m not a fan of aurors. But maybe your mates aren’t so bad, I dunno. 

Ian

Ian,

Yeah, it was a real hard time for him. Understandably. I hadn’t thought about how hard it would be to see siblings go off to school. Yeah, I don’t understand it all but I guess he really did do something good. A big something if he really did end a war. It was a wizard war and they only taught us about old wizard wars so I don’t really know a lot of the details. But it could be he just got too much power and praise, or like you said was always awful. I’ve never seen it outside f films but if they’re to be believed bad people can do good things. TEN????? I had no idea he was so young. That’s so wrong. it’s not your fault, you were even younger, right? I knew he did questionable things but asking a ten year old to do them, and bullying you and Mac to keep it quiet is awful. I dunno if this is a good time, but we’ve been talking about how we have people in common so maybe, but my mate Connor knows Mac. Dumbledore got him too. But not till he was about to graduate. Which seemed fishy but nothing as bad as what he did to your family. That’s true, I don’t have to make a decision. I’d like to, because I know they’d like to know. But I think I’ll ask Dirk. Not Saturday, probably but at some point. Might be good for him to see them. They’ve gotten a bit older too but they’re still the same. So is the shop and the house. Not much change happens at my parents’. Yeah, I’m sure everyone is so happy about it. It was a real blow to loose him for all of us I think.

I get that. It’s sort of the same concept for why I do muggle stuff still, it’s how I grew up. But I’m just thinking back to when you didn’t know me and I was nice to you, not now. I’m glad you trust me. They are. Lots of good people to look up to and get advice from if I needed it. Not advice about blokes obviously but Connor and I  are blundering through that. I guess. Probably has, he’s real close to them. Does it help that they weren’t aurors, or an auror and an almost auror when I met them? They’re really great blokes.

Ethan

[ethanbarrowman]

middlefletcher​:

Ethan,

Maybe comparing it to Knockturn is an exaggeration, but I also think it’s a lot scarier than a normal school should be. Glad it didn’t feel that way all the time. From what I’ve heard about Slytherins, some of them probably are just as bad as the folks in gangs. Yeah, things were pretty shit for a while, we got real lucky with Cal and Al. Hopefully it wasn’t horrible for Dirk and Leo. At least they had each other. Well, until Dirk disappeared. Really, that’s all Dumbledore did? I’d have thought it’d be more than that what with how much everyone loves him. He used to come by the house when Cal was at school and ask Mac to do shady shit for him in Knockturn and told us we couldn’t tell anyone or Cal would get too distracted from school. I wish we hadn’t listened to him, but we didn’t know any better. Plus he might have kicked Cal out of Hogwarts, who knows, and then we’d be back in Knockturn with no shot at getting out. Yeah I guess it might be hard to casually mention you’re gay. Or I dunno, maybe dropping it in all casual like, not making a big deal out of it, might work. If you want them to know. Oh. I don’t really get it but it sounds like a nice thing she does it for Dirk. Yeah, I can’t blame him either. You may be an only child but you’ve got people you care about, right? Even Dirk, reckon you’re also just glad he’s back, yeah? But it’s a lot for him especially. Can you imagine waking up one day and finding out the world just fast forwarded seven years? Sounds like a nightmare. He’s handling it better than I would, probably.

Wow, so we know three of the same people now? That’s wild. It did at first, just because I’m not used to people just being nice and friendly like that for no reason. So Hufflepuff probably would have freaked me out, yeah. I’ve got nothing against nice people, though. It’s just hard for me to believe they’re that nice. That’s really nice they looked out for you. Seems like all the people we’ve got in common are good ones. I don’t think I know a Jacob or a Kingsley, though.

Ian

Ian,

It was a lot scarier than my muggle school. I feel like the bullies at Hogwarts would have scared even the bullies at my muggle school. That wouldn’t surprise me. They probably weren’t all bad but the bad ones were real loud about it. I’m glad that things aren’t shit anymore. Hopefully not, but they did, until that yeah. Leo seemed real lost. Which I can’t blame  him, can’t even imagine how terrible it was for him. I guess the guy he killed was really awful, just the worst wizard ever. Killing him stopped a war or something. It seemed like a big deal. At least all the kids thought he was a huge hero for it. Wait, how old was Mac? That doesn’t sound good at all. I thought he only got graduates to do stuff. You should’t blame yourself, I’m sure that had to be scary. Maybe. But it’s just trying to find the right time to be all casual about it. I dunno  if I do or not. Maybe so. Probably so. Yeah, it’s a nice thing. They thought he was a great bloke. That’s true, it just sometimes seems like the sibling stuff is something you have to have one to really understand. It sounds like something out of a horror film for sure. It’s going to be weird enough to see Dirk unchanged. I can’t imagine what it’s like for him to see everything but him changed.

Sounds like it!  So does that mean you don’t think I’m friendly or just don’t think I’m that nice? I dunno what reason anyone would have for being nice and friendly. Aside from just being nice and friendly. Ted and Dirk are really that nice. Leo too. Their mates too. Do you know Leo’s mates, Ben and Tommy? I agree the people we’ve got in common are good ones. I dunno how you’d feel about Jacob or Kingsley truthfully. Kingsley’s an auror and Jacob was nearly one. Still sort of gives off auror vibes too. But they’re great  blokes! I just figured from some of what you said maybe ou don’t like aurors.

Ethan

[ethanbarrowman]

middlefletcher​:

Ethan,

Honestly, when you put it like that it sounds almost as dangerous as Knockturn. Except I’d say the gangs are a lot scarier than most bullies. But still. You seem pretty tough too. I’m glad they got to go too, obviously they were better off going. Just messed up that it’s scary at all. Yeah. I mean, they’d probably care about rich orphans whose parents left them a ton of gold. But a lot of kids fall through the cracks, they’d rather just keep them in Knockturn out of the way than deal with them. There were five of us, and the orphanages don’t always have room for five kids all at once. Plus a lot are just for boys or just for girls, and we weren’t gonna let Sadie get stuck somewhere all alone. Plus we knew some kids who sneaked out of those places and they were awful. Hopefully the muggle ones were better but I dunno. Knowing Dumbledore he probably made up some lie and the parents believe him because for some reason there’s all these people who think he’s such a great person. I’ve met him a few times, yeah. He used to come around the flat we lived in when Cal was at Hogwarts. It’s how he got Mac into that stuff I told you about the other night. So you definitely shouldn’t trust him. Sucks you can’t tell your parents. Do you think you’d ever want to? You can ignore that if that’s too personal of a question, sometimes I can’t tell. She lights a candle like for a birthday cake? That’s sad but also kind of nice she still thinks of him. Yeah, obviously it’s all weird but it’s clear Leo’s just relieved to have Dirk back. I know if something happened to any of my siblings I’d feel the same, no matter how weird things were when they came back. Yeah, it’s all kinds of confusing. I can’t be sure but I think that’s probably part of why he’s been enjoying hanging out here so much, Cal was the only one who knew him before. 

Wait, do you mean Ted Tonks? You must mean Ted Tonks if we’re talking about Leo. Yeah, I know him. Not as well as Leo, but he’d pop by a lot to check in on Leo when we worked together so Leo introduced us. He still comes by to say hi when he works night shifts even though Leo’s not working with me anymore, sometimes he brings pastries. Kinda freaked me out how friendly he was at first, but seems like he’s the real deal. Do you know him because of Leo?

Ian

Ian,

Probably not, I just was’t expecting it to be like it was. Might just be putting things out of perspective. I don’t think anyone else thought it was dangerous till Dirk anyway. I’m sure you’re right about gangs. Though Slytherins were so scary. Yeah, it is messed up that school is scary. That’s terrible! I didn’t think about how may of you there was and space. Doesn’t seem to have hurt you sticking together. Dirk and Leo didn’t much like theirs but they didn’t talk about it much so I dunno if it is better or not. Apparently he killed some really bad guy. I don’t know it all but just about everyone at school knew about it. He came to your house? That seems weird. Yeah, he doesn’t seem trustworthy. Nah, I don’t mind. I don’t know if I will or not. Not sure how I’d even go about it. Not really something you can just casually drop in conversation over dinner. Not a birthday candle. Churches have a bunch of candles and people light them to remember the dead. Other reasons too I think. My gran was a big church goer but we’re more holiday goers so I never really paid attention. Except my mum still likes to light candles to remember people. Can’t blame him. Not something I know about being an only but it makes sense to me. That makes sense. All his mates are older now. His little brother is older. It’s gotta be a lot.

Yep, that Ted. That sounds like Ted, looking out for Leo. And now saying hi to you. Does it? I don’t think you’d have liked Hufflepuff much. There are lots who are as nice as Ted. More like Dirk. He was best mates with Dirk, and roommates. They’ll all great blokes but I liked Ted and Dirk best. Maybe because they were muggleborns too so they understood. It’s cool you know him too. Do you know Jacob or Kingsley?

Ethan