What if...

[Dax Simmons]

“All right ladies.” Dax grinned happily as Jac unravelled her arms from around his neck after their warm embrace. “Sergeant Peter!” He gave a small salute before holding his hand out and it was greeted with an enthusiastic slap followed by their secret handshake.
“Captain Dax,” Peter pointed towards the small blond girl who had Jac laughing so hard before. “this is my friend Azeal.”
“Pleased to met you Miss Azeal.” He offered her a small bow although his gaze passed over towards the other two females present. He was about to offer them his good news about the invite for tea but the rather excitable young girl started to tell Dax about everything he had missed which had all of them chuckling away amongst themselves.


Dan waited on Dia’s answer almost as if his own life depended upon it, this woman seemed to have the power over him where he needed to know the answer right away, he longed to hear her harmonious tones and from the very short experience they had shared the answer was always agreeable. And she still did not disappoint as she agreed to come for tea and he knew that it meant that there would be a lot of them there but it meant he would be able to spend more time with Dia. “Good, good, excellent!”

He was about to set his gaze back onto the game that they were meant to be watching when Dia said something that he had not been expecting. ‘you’ve got such wonderful family and friends …” He could not help but feel there was meant to be more to that sentence, he was actually going to be bold and press her to say a bit more but a chain of events took place which pushed all thoughts out of his mind. A Bludger has over shot its target and was flying dangerously close towards them. It was human nature to protect those around you who are most precious and so as Dia rested her head upon his shoulder his arms were wrapped around her trying to protect her from the potential danger.

As the people from a few rows back picked themselves up from a close call Dan and Dia looked at each other, red faced trying to find the words to say. Dan had quickly unravelled his arms and was nervously running them through his wet through hair. “er…I…” It was lucky that the words did not need to be spoken as Azeal came bounding towards them all hyper about being asked to have tea with Grace Marks!


“Girt?” Dax leaned in closer towards his pale looking friend, shooting a nervous glance towards Dan and the mysterious Dia. “Who is that woman?”
“Dia Hargreaves apparently” Girty’s answered, the tone of her voice showed she was not at all impressed. “Dan told me she is an old school friend but I have never heard of her before.”
“Is she married to that reporter for the Prophet?”
“Merlin knows, if she is then Dan should not be talking to her, not after what he did.”
“Oh yeah…” Dax’s voice was rather distant as he clearly remembered the article. “It is not like Dan thought to pick up a random woman and then take her to a Quidditch game.”
“No…but I’m not sure what worried me more. The fact he asked her to come or that he can not keep his eyes off her.”

A knowing glance passed between the two friends as the lively voice of Jac sounded out around them and if that was not enough the sharp poke in the ribs was enough to get her attention. Clearly Jac had been watching the interaction between Dia and her daughter and when the orange haired Gryffindor did the fake swoon Girty joined along and pretended to be sick at the sight of such open love and affection. Dax simply blanked the two giggling girls and watched the game, or at least he tried to but Jac seemed determined to talk to him and about children of all things.

“The World Cup is next year!” Dax raised his eyebrows surprised that Jac would even have to ask such a question. “Grace is not letting me anywhere near her, can not risk her missing it, a chance to represent England…she would kill me.” With a small chuckle Dax looked through the thick mist of rain towards the orange blob that hovered near the goal hoops. “We will be sleeping in separate beds before I know it.”
“My Daddy sleeps on the sofa.” Peter piped up, clearly he wanted to be apart of the conversation that his aunties were in. This news clearly came to a surprise to Girty as her eyes quickly drifted away from the game down to her little nephew. He seemed completely oblivious to his auntie’s shock and continued to cheer the game along, and Girty would not be the one to blow his little bubble, however she would be taking it up with Dan later. With a small cough as if to break the rather strange atmosphere that a six year old had unwittingly created Dax turned to the older members of the party and carried on chatting about adult stuff, reminiscing about the past and moaning about the price of potion ingredients…Peter truly did not care much for the conversation.


With a small chuckle Dan tried to watch the game instead of staring intensely at the interaction between mother and daughter that was happening beside him. He wished it was something he could say that he saw Offley do, the look of love in her eyes as she held her child close, to Dan it only ever seemed as annoyance that they were searching for attention or relief that he was taking them off her hands. The thought that there was a person who bore the name of Hubbles and did not care much for family was heart breaking for Dan or was it the fact that his own marriage was failing.

Now that was not a very happy thought and he was glad for the distraction of a scream from a rather loud from a few rows behind them. “THAT’S THE SNITCH!!!” With a gasp everyone’s heads looked up to the sky and there was a glint of gold quickly followed by a blur of orange and green as they raced through the dark sky. “Dad, Dad, Dad!” Peter ran over toward Dan giving a sharp tug on his Dad’s arm as a signal to be picked up. Quickly the small boy was in his Dad’s arms, up off the ground and he was pointing wildly at the sky.

“Do you reckon the Cannons will win Dad?”
“I hope so?” Dan grinned but he did not look at Peter, he was to busy watching the seekers nose dive towards the ground, they were neck and neck, it was going to be close.
“Do you think that Sch-Sheee-Schnieeee…”
“Schniebly” Dan chuckled as he finally turned his gaze to look at his son, just at the wrong moment as the boys expression changed from one of tension and worry to jubilation as the stadium burst into life and a roar of applause filled the air! The Snitch had been caught and thankfully for them it was the team wearing Orange!

[Prof Grace Marks]

It was a bright orange cry of enthusiasm and delight that lifted the roof of the stadium in Ilkley that day and none cheered louder then their Keeper Grace Marks. She’d had a good game, if she did say so herself, even though she never would. She was overjoyed that they’d won. It meant they’d go through to the semi-finals for the league Championship. They’d be playing the Montrose Magpies now and she knew all too well how tense that game would be, those two groups of fans being particularly rowdy, but she also had complete faith in her team, as their fans did.

After a few victory laps, and lots of waving to the cheering crowds the team disappeared into the changing room to change for the press conference. Mean while, Jac and Girty couldn’t have been laughing harder. Sure they’d made fun of a girl nearly half their age and her mother, neither of which were concentrating on them. Azeal had started telling Pete about why she hoped the Canons won, even though she was all green. Soon they calmed down though as Dax told them about all Grace’s opportunities. It was always great to know how well she was doing; she being the oldest of the three girls it was always encouraging for Jac.

But then Pete jumped in and Jac’s smile faded. She hadn’t even noticed that the two small kid’s conversation had died. It turned out that the Harpies were making a dash for the goals and she was cheering them on again. But little Peter dropped such a bomb that Jac was at a loss for words. “What?” she managed at last, looking from Pete, who seemed to once again loose interest, to Dax and finally to Girty. “Did you know …?” It seemed crazy that Girty wouldn’t know this. “This confirms it, there’s something going on with him …” Jac said softly as the rain pelted down.

And then, just as an antidote to the stupor the three friends had been put in, someone shouted about the snitch. Jumping into action, Jac’s hair changing colour many times before she got it under control again, the ex-Gryffindor turned around and began jumping and cheering loudly for such a small thing. Dia Hargreaves in the mean time was also being accosted by her own child; Azeal followed Peter when he ran towards his dad. It seemed Azeal wanted the same treatment as Peter but it wasn’t going to be easy. “O Azeal!” Dia groaned as she picked her daughter up onto her hip, “has your father been sneaking you those horrid treats from Fortescue's again?” Azeal didn’t seem to hear her and was happy being on her mother’s hip and cheered her little heart out for the Canon player who was gaining on it.

The snitch was caught and everyone around then burst with noise, as though they’d been holding back before. Jac was jumping so frantically she accidently bumped a man next to her. She appologised, giggled, and then recognised the man. The two spoke for a while, still cheering, Jac’s hair again changing colour. Azeal fought her way off her mother and went to Girty, shrieking about how happy she was and what a good game it was.

Grace knew that she had people waiting so she excused herself from the press conference early. This was a new experience for her. Usually she’d leave with the rest of the team and being the smallest and youngest of the team she’d usually be in the middle away from all the photographers and news people but she had no cover now. She did what any good sports person would do and smiled politely, not saying anything. This was how she was known publicly anyway. She quickly made her way into the stands, forgetting how hard it was raining. She flapped up her hood and dove into the crowd, searching for her friends.

Almost as though it was a beacon, Grace spotted the ever-changing hair of Jac Biggerstall and headed quickly in her direction. Even with her hood down people still recognized her and she smiled and thanked people for their praise and pats on the back but as soon as she could she grabbed Dax’s hand and sighed. “What a nightmare!” she breathed before giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Hi.” The next thing she knew Jac’s arms were around her neck. Grace hugged her practically-sister back, getting wet hair in the face. Grace chuckled before pushing Jac off and hugging Girty tightly. “It’s been forever,” she said softly in Girty’s ear. As she let Girty go, she continued, “I’m sorry. Thing’s have just been a bit crazy for us.”

Grace smiled up at Dax, the rain getting into her face. She took his hand again and turned back to the other two. “I take it Dax has informed you that tea’s at our’s today?” Grace asked but when Jac frowned and shook her head, Grace simply laughed. “Well, now you know! Shall we then?"

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Chapter 4

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The celebrations for the Cannons victories were always epic mainly considering that they never used to be the most successful Quidditch team around and the fans still were getting used to the feeling of winning. The bright orange fireworks that formed the team logo exploded into the overcast sky and the hordes of socked through, albeit very happy supports left the stadium. The echoes of their chanting carried on the wind making it sound like there were thousands more wizards and witches then were truly present and for Dan Hubbles this was an unnerving thought. His hand had instinctively took hold of his sons, his grip may have been a bit too tight but Peter did not complain and Dan was so set on making sure his son did not disappear into the crowd that it did not even occur to him that he could possible be cutting the blood supply off from the six year olds fingers.

Dan had discovered that when someone becomes a parent (even arguably some men) you become great at multitasking. At this very present moment in time Dan was showing this particular skill he had developed. He was managing to keep up some form of conversation with Girty, make sure he did not lose sight of Dax and Grace as they lead the way through the crowd, nervously look over at Azeal to make sure she was still with Dia and of course allow himself a few seconds to stare upon the elegant features of Mrs Hargreaves, where, for the briefest of moments all his worry melted away.

“Ow!” The squeak from Peter made Dan’s head snap away from the temptress that was walking near him towards his son. Immediately he saw the problem and not wanting to kick up too much of a fuss (as Dan worried that if he tried to tell the guy in front to stop swinging his arms the brutish mans fist might end up in his face) Dan picked up his son and continued to push on through the crowd.

***

Soon the sights and sounds of the Quidditch stadium were far behind the mixed up bunch of people as they made their way down a small country lane. In the distance, through the sheets of ever falling rain a quaint little village could be seen. It only took a few more minutes of whining from Peter about being cold and Girty starting to grumble about getting her teeth into a nice raw stake when Rose Hill Cottage came into view. It was clear from the outside of the building that both Grace and Dax where doing well in their chosen careers, it was well furnished yet had the quirky factor that could have only been provided by the two ex-Hufflepuff’s who in habited the building.

The dinner was indeed merry and the sound of laughter rang around the small dinning area as Grace and Dax provided the food, Girty and Jac provided the slap stick comedy and humorous tales which in turn Peter and Azeal laughed heartily at. Although Dan ate and drank and enjoyed the atmosphere his mind was otherwise preoccupied.

It had been a while since the man had felt like this; in all his thirty odd years on this earth he could never remember feeling like this, falling so fast, so deep and it being this painful. For the whole dinner the blond haired, sparkling blue eyed angle had sat opposite him captivating his thoughts and for most of the time unaware as to what was going on around him. Every time she smiled he felt his pulse quicken and a smile of his own tugged at the corners of his mouth, in his stomach sat a cocktail of feelings, the deadly mixture of both guilt and pleasure. Guilt cause he knew he was a married man and should not even be thinking such things or feeling like a pubescent teenager every time the girl he had a crush on looked at him. But for the same reasons it was why he felt happy, after years of a dying marriage these feelings were unfamiliar ground, the tightening in the throat, the swarm of butterflies in the stomach when she spoke his name which as a result he could barley think straight to even string a coherent sentence together. It was not meant to be like this and Dan desperately hung onto his last strand of dignity and common sense to stop him from falling any deeper and to prevent any situation arising that he may live to regret.

There was one good thing about having a sister who doted upon her nephew, she was willing to lavish him with the attention he so desired when his own father had his head in the clouds. All day Girty had been suspecting something, and as the day has drawn on and Dan’s smile grew wider and his attention seemed focused upon that Dia woman it did not take Girty’s werewolf instincts to know that Dan was falling. But then why not, the recipe for disaster was there, a rocky marriage, a mysterious blond haired woman who played the damsel so well and of course not forgetting the most important factor…the Hubbles gene. Dan was bound to do something stupid, either make a rash decision or worst of all just sit around and mop about it for ages. Girty almost hoped it would be the first rather then the later as she hated seeing her brother sad, but then that is what she had thought when he gave up the chance to travel to be with Offley. At the time in her naive state Girty thought it was sweet that Dan had given up his dreams to be with the woman he loved, but had he known how it would play out then…well hindsight is a wonderful thing, who knows what could have happened. For all she knew he could have turned out to be the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

“Well then.” Girty slammed her empty glass down on the dinning table and grinned around at everyone. “We,” she pointed at Jac and the two children. “shall leave you adults to talk about boring old things while we go off to the local dairy and get some ice cream!”

There was a loud cheer from Peter who quickly excused himself from the table to run to the door to put his shoes on in the sheer belief that it would help speed up the process of getting the ice cream. It would not have helped as for at least five minutes Dan had tried to give Girty the money to buy the ice creams with and in typical sibling fashion a battle of whispering words started with the money passing from one hand to another with each not taking no for an answer. With Peter coming along to give his aunty a tug on the arm to try and hurry her along Dan took the distraction to slip the muggle money into her pocket and let her go without another word of debate, smiling happily to himself as the remaining members of the party retired to the living room.

Outside four walls of the cottage the rain continued to hammer down upon the windows and the wind howled down the chimney making the flames of the crackling fire flicker and dance to its own quiet tune. The living room itself reminded Dan greatly of the Commonrooms back in Hogwarts, comfortable miss match sofas surrounded the fire, the walls were covered in paintings and on top of the mantelpiece sat Graces ‘Player of the Year’ award, glistening in the fire light. This felt like home, it was close and he could not help but feel happy when sitting with his friends and having a mug of tea in his hand. Leaning back into the sofa Dan turned his head to one side to look at Dia, a small smile filling his face as he slowly sipped his tea watching the fire light play on her beautiful features.

“Beautiful.” He mumbled before he snapped to his senses and had to try and save both himself and Dia a few blushes. “Th-the tea!” He quickly looked away from Dia and looked over at their hosts. “This tea is lovely. Assam right?” With a small cough and a weak smile he quickly turned back to his mug of tea waiting for someone to throw him a lifeline.

[Prof Grace Marks]

[[ joint post with Grace, Jac, and Dia ]]

---

The walk to Grace and Dax’s house was not a particularly long one from the stadium but on this specific day, with the rain pouring down as though life itself depended on it, it was made a rather more challenging event. The two ex-Hufflepuffs led the way, Grace’s arm around Dax’s waist and his around her shoulders. Every now and then Grace would check to see that everyone was still there: the two clowns, Girty and Jac, were mucking about like it was the Fifth of November; Dan and Pete and Dia and Azeal were all walking hand in hand until Dan picked Pete up, then Azeal protested and wanted to be picked up as well.

Grace couldn’t figure this thing out, whatever it was, with Dan and Dia. There was obviously some chemistry there, like a moth attracted to a flame, but both were married. Grace knew Dan well, nearly seven years now, and she he loved Offley, even when things were rocky, he did. So what was this? A friendship? Or was it something more? Dax obviously noticed something was on Grace’s mind as she peered over his arm at the two parents. He nudged her gently with his shoulder and kissed the top of her head as they walked on.

Grace voiced her opinions and worries to Dax and the two talked about it as they went but Dia was so preoccupied with Azeal, causing such a fuss that eventually Dia picked up the soaked child and carried her. By the time they got to Rose Hill Cottage ( ), Azeal had fallen asleep on her shoulder and Dia asked Grace if it would be alright to give her a nice hot bath. Grace was happy to help and kept the woman company as she bathed he little girl. The two got talking about hopes and dreams, places they wanted to go, things they wanted to see. But then Grace excused herself and went downstairs again to prepare dinner.

The entire meal time Dia was amazed at how well this group of people got along. There was never a dull moment, with Jac and Girty always coming up with the most brilliant of jokes and Grace and Dax being the sophisticated socialites who didn't even realise how much appeal their lives had, and Dan the older brother to them all. The two children were keeping each other occupied and Dia felt better about not concentrating fully on her daughter. Every now and then, while they were eating and listening to story told by any one of the friends, Dia would catch Dan's eyes on her. She always looked away quickly, pretending not to notice but she did and she was enjoying it. It had been years since she'd gotten this sort of attention and she wouldn't have traded it for the world.

When the topic moved to ice creams, however, Dia's attention shaped back to her daughter as she and Pete jumped from their seats and ran for the door. Dia quickly stood up, her eyes fleetingly moving to Dan, and moved to where her daughter was helping Peter put his rain coat on. Dia helped Azeal with her coat before taking out her purse and giving Jac a handful of money. “Here,” she said and smiled. “I insist.”

Jac had no problem taking Dia’s money. While she liked the woman, Jac thought it was only fair for her to pay for her own. Jac pocketed the money and nodded her head. “Thanks,” she said before shovelling the last of her food into her mouth and standing up. She trotted over to where Azeal was tugging on her Wellingtons and pulled on her own shoes. It was still pouring out and she wanted to be prepared. Pete ran over to Girty, pulling her nearly over, and Jac laughed at the sight. “Come on,” Jac said, still chuckling, and left through the open door, holding Azeal’s hand.

Soon the lot of them were on their way to the ice cream parlor in the village, leaving Grace and Dax with Dia and Dan. Tea was next on the list and it was a welcome warmth. The four sat around the fire, Grace leaning on Dax as they sat next to each other. There was silence but Grace didn’t think it was uncomfortable. She could feel Dax next to her and that was also a comfort after the cold, wet day they’d all had. Grace had the mug cupped between both her pale hands and she took another sip as they sat, staring at the fire.

Dan muttered something, which Grace didn’t catch, and it drew her eyes to him. He enquired about the tea and Grace laughed. “Trust you to talk about the tea, Dan,” she said, smiling. She brushed some hair out of her face and nodded, “It is Assam but we just call it Irish Breakfast. Mrs Biggerstall sent me some from India for my birthday.” Grace gave Dax a smile, thinking about the fiasco and excitement of the holiday they’d had thereat the end of the previous season. “She get’s it straight from the supplier there, the little cheat.”

Dia had a misty expression, as though she was far away, on her face as she stared at the fire. It crackled and sent warm light into the room. Dia wasn’t paying much attention to her tea, she was simply holding it in her hands as she stared off into nothingness, but when Dan and Grace started talking she sat back in her seat and watched them talk. They were comfortable with each other, all of them were, obviously they were all good friends and close. Here she was the outsider, the stranger that Dan had brought into their lives like something out of a bog. She didn’t like feeling alienated and she decided to do something about it.

“Who’s Mrs Biggerstall?” Dia asked, wanting to know more about this group.
“Oh!" Grace said, “erm, sorry Dia, that’s Jac’s mother. The Biggerstalls moved to India after I left school, wasn’t it?” Grace looked at Dax enquiringly. “Mrs Biggerstall had always spoken of moving there when Mr Biggerstall’s term was up. It took a little longer then she’d hope, I think, but they did it … in the end.”
DIa nodded and smiled serenely. “I’ve always wanted to go to India. My cousin goes every here on holiday and she loves it there. ”

Again silence fell. Grace wasn’t sure how to follow that up.

Dia coughed to clear her throat. She then turned to Dax and asked, “so Grace plays Quidditch, what is it you do, Mr Simmons?”

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Well as you may know Robyn and now myself vanished off the face of the earth and thus this story never really got completed. Well over the summer myself and Robyn got talking and we agreed a few things and yeah…we decided to change the format of this thread and do it like a story and here is the outcome! This section is what Miss Robyn wrote and the rest is by me as you will properly be able to tell haha. The chapters will appear when I have finished editing them lol. Enjoy!

---

Grace found Dia’s curiosity most intriguing. What did it matter to her what happened in their lives, after all they were all strangers to her? Was she planning on staying around for a while? Was she wanting to become a permanent fixture in their lives? Was this her way of making herself feel like she belonged? Dax obviously noticed Grace’s suspicion and patted her leg that his hand was on. When she looked up at him, he was smiling at her. Dax’s smile instantly relaxed Grace and made her realise how silly she was being. This woman was for all intensive purposes alone and she was just trying to get to know those around her; Grace could respect that.

Turning from Grace but keeping his hand on her leg, Dax looked up at Dia, his smile faltering a little. “I work at the Department of Magical Games and Sports,” he informed her. Grace ran her small hand over Dax’s as it lay on her leg, smiling absently. This made Dax look at her, their smiles and love radiating.
“He’s been doing very well,” Grace bragged, their eyes still locked on one another. A moment passed and Grace remembered her guests. Looking first at Dan – who was every looking at Dia rather intently at that exact moment – and then to Dia, who was looking at the two youngsters. “We’re confident he’ll be getting a promotion soon ...”
Grace had been bursting to share this information all day but it hadn’t come up before. This opportunity was too good to pass up. Dax hadn’t wanted to tell anyone yet so that they wouldn’t get their hopes up and he had explained this to Grace but any good news or potentially good news she simply had to share.

“Promotion?” Dan was taken aback slightly by Grace’s outburst, mainly because it forced him to tare his gaze away from the blond women who sat near him. “That is brilliant Dax; if I am still looking for a job then I know where to come.” Dan chuckled softly as he tried to show some enthusiasm for his sister friend…his friend, but he could not help but feel slightly envious that once again another persons life was going far better then his. Dax and Grace were successful, happy and in love, none of the things that Dan had!
Dia’s reaction on the other hand was much more subdued, her eyes went wide, her smile spreading across her face. “Wooow,” she sounded softly, looking at the two love-birds. It was obvious to anyone with eyes (and probably anyone without too – she chuckled at this thought) how much these two people cared for each other. Stealing a looked at Dan, Dia felt her heart flutter like it hadn’t since she and Fitz had just started going out. It was something she had missed, she realised now and she wondered if it was worth everything she and Fitz had been through to go down the road she wanted to with Dan. She realised quickly that it would be a bad idea: true happiness like what Grace and Dax had was once in a life time, her life time and she’d missed it. “An almost congratulations then to you Dax,” Dia smiled but it didn’t hold.

Grace was very wrapped up in the pride for her boyfriend that the room went momentarily quiet. She didn’t mind, after all, she had picked the country side life precisely for that reason, the quiet and stillness, but she noticed Dan twitch in his seat, like he did every time Offley would shout at him for allowing them to do something they shouldn’t have. Making this observation, Grace decided to reciprocate the interest Dia had shown. “So, Dia,” she began, shifting to get more comfortable where she sat, “what about your husband? What does he do?”

Dia lifted her eyes from her tea cup, still cupped in her hands, where she had been staring intently, lost in thought of Dan and the opportunities he offered that Fitz had taken away – if you looked at it that way – when she heard her name. Grace was talking again and she asked her about Fitz. That was unexpected. Dia froze for a second, looking at the slight blonde woman, then she pull her cup down and sat up straight, stretching her arms in front of her, rubbing her knees. “Oh, well, Fitz writes for The Daily Prophet. I’ve been wanting him to move to a different paper for a while but he’s as stubborn as a mule sometimes ...” She did love him, she was certain of that, but was love enough?
If there was one man who would leave a bitter taste in the mouth of Daniel Hubbles then it was Fitz Hargreaves. He was the man who had stolen his lively hood, he was the reason that Dan no longer had a job, that his sister could no longer afford the ingredients for her potion, why his feet where still wet in shoes that were no longer waterproof and the reason he could not kiss Dia right here and now. Swallowing back this thought and the bile that was rising in his throat at the hatred for this man Dan tried to focus on the individuals in the room and it seemed Grace was going to help him with this.

It was Grace’s chance for her eyes to widen. “Fitz?” she repeated, “as in Fitz Hargreaves? The reporter?”
Dia, frowning slightly, nodded. “I doubt there are many Hargreaves at the Prophet and fewer Fitz’s.” She chuckled lightly.
“Oh, wow,” Grace looked at Dax, worry in her eyes.
“What is it?” he asked, craning his head to keep her eyes on his as she started to turn from him.
Grace froze, her eyes not focusing on anything. Then, they shot to Dia. “I didn’t realise he was married.” She admitted.
Dia shrugged. “Fitz doesn’t like wearing his wedding ring–” she was playing with her own absently “–as it can sometimes interfere with his work. I’m okay with that.” This was a blatant lie; she’d never been happy with the idea of Fitz even dreaming of taking off the band that symbolised their union but what could she do? Dia looked at Grace for a moment and then she registered the worried or was it confused look on her face.
“Grace?” Dan asked, sitting forward. “What is it?” He was more forceful then Dax and it made Grace blink a few times. At Dan. At Dia. Back. At Dax. At the floor. She couldn’t quite work it out ...
“But ...” she began, thinking back ...
“Go on.” Dax was always encouraging.
“I’m sure I saw him today,” Grace said finally.
There was an instant reaction from Dia. “That can’t be. He said he’d be…where was Molly…that’s the whole reason I was free to come ... to the game.”
“He was definitely there, Dia.” Grace seemed to have found her voice again. “At the press conference after the game, I remember very clearly seeing him and another reported standing in the back of the room, talking quite intimately. He kept touching her hair and stroking her cheek. I thought it was odd because he’s usually very determined to bully my captain out of his chair ... that’s what made me notice ...” Grace’s blue eyes were clouded over with worry. She hardly knew this woman but she didn’t want to see her hurt either. That was the last thing she wanted for anyone.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Chapter 5

Time for A Change

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It was like a chain reaction, one event seemed to create another and before any of them could do anything the front door of the cottage flew open and Dia stormed out into the pouring rain. The droplets of water that ran down her face mixed with her salty tears as her footsteps crunched upon the gravel path only for the sound to be echoed moments later by the quick passed steps of Dan. Dia needed to get away, she needed to find Fitz, and she needed to understand.
“Dia!” Dan desperately shouted out, the rain slowly soaking in through his t-shirt and his jeans that had only just finished drying off were getting heavy once more as they soaked in the water. Reaching out his hand wrapped itself around her wrist, spinning her around so that he could look her right in the eyes.
“Come back to the cott-”
“No!” her voice was shrill as the emotion that was clear on her beautiful face.
“Dia there is nothing to be done.”
“I need to talk to him.”

Silence fell between them as Dia shook off Dan’s lax grip. The rain continued to fall around them, the bitter coolness that clung to the air made the steam of their breaths billow around them. The rain continued to form mini rivers down their faces and waterfalls as the rain dripped from their noses and chins. Both of them had words hanging on the end of their tongues but neither of them could find the courage to mutter them out loud. Opening his mouth to speak all Dan could do was breath in deeply and before anything could be said Dia had turned and was once more walking down the street. That was until she stopped and with one last look over her shoulder Dia prepared to apparate, but Dan seemed to sense what was about to happen and once more reached out and took hold of her hand. The sensation of being squeezed through a tight tube took over, motion sickness and dizziness, blurring images and bright lights.

“Home”
“Home”

The contrasting thoughts caused the magic to pop and frazzle and with a bump the two of them landed in a heap on the wet grass. Dan’s first reaction was to let go of Dia’s hand and make sure that all his body parts where still present. It would have been so easy to splinch but good luck and fortune seemed to be on their side as both of them were in tacked, not even an eyebrow or toe was out of place.

“What have you done?” Dia shouted at Dan, her voice sounding out over the roar of the traffic that was passing on the muggle main road that was currently hidden behind a hedge row.
“I was stopping you from making a foolish mistake.” Dan stood up along with Dia, the two adults stood once more face to face.
“He is cheating on me?”
“You don’t know that!”

Dia gave an exasperated sigh, her arms tense by her side as she stared up at the dark clouded sky. She was dying inside, her heart was shattering in two, painfully and slowly and even the man in front of her, as handsome as he was, could not ease the pain.
“I am sorry alright!” Dan stated plainly, stepping closer to Dia. “Look, it is getting late we…we need to find where we are.”

Dia did not say anything, it would have been easy for her to try to appirate away once more but she knew that the strong emotions that were running through her at the present moment in time would neither be safe nor sensible. So instead Dia decided to play along with Dan’s simple methods of walking to find where they were, it may have been a slow and wet method but Dia had no strength left in her to fight.

***

As if to prove it was still possible the rain hammered down harder when Dan and Dia were on the final home stretch towards a small bed and breakfast they had found on the road side. It was odd how running together, hand in hand in the rain could make them forget each others problems that they had just been screaming at the top of their lungs at each other. Dan’s long strides kept him ahead of Dia but he was not pulling her along, he was steadying himself so that he could still flash wide grins and enjoy the laughter that the two were now sharing.

They were still laughing as they pushed open the small oak front door of the B&B, their clothes were now carrying so much water that they left a small trail of water droplets on the polished wooden floor in the reception. They had agreed that Dan would approach the desk and ask to use the phone while Dia would try and find some sort of leaflet to help them find out where they had crashed landed.

“Hi er…” Dan started as he tried to control his laughter, it seemed so straight forward to just ask for the phone but when he reached the desk things took a different direction.
“Room for two?” The happy, gray haired slightly plump lady behind the desk asked. Her smile was so captivating reminding him a lot of Grandma Hubbles and before Dan knew what he was doing his tongue had answered the question.
“Yes please”
“Name?”
“Hubbles. Daniel Hubbles.”

The old lady picked up her blue ball point pen and Dan watched as she began to write ‘Mr & Mrs Hubbles’.
“No we…” Dan broke off his protest as he realised the hand he had automatically out stretched in an attempt to stop the woman was his left where his golden wedding ring gleamed in the artificial light. “Sorry.” Dan muttered as he tried to think of a cover story for his reaction. “We only just got married. I am not used to seeing the names like that.” He gave a small sheepish grin at the old lady before looking over at Dia.

Even soaked to the bone Dan still found her oddly attractive, there was something about Dia, her kind nature seemed to radiate out around her and Dan could not help it, he found himself grinning happily, simply watching her looking through a selection of pamphlets at a tourist information stand that was tucked away in the corner.

“Off on your honeymoon?” The old woman inquired noticing the love struck gaze that nice young man was giving the pretty woman.
“Yeah.” Dan slowly turned his head, he was finding it odd how easy it was to lie. “Off to Scotland, but we took a small detour fist.”

The old lady seemed to find something funny as she scribbled something out in the book only then to pick up a different set of keys. By this point Dia was heading over, a collection of leaflets in her hands and a small puzzled look as to why Dan was being handed a set of keys.
“You two can have room seven. Much more private and you have your own bathroom.”
“Thank you.” Dan grinned as he wrapped an arm around Dia’s waist, however bold the action was he was still taken aback slightly that she did not resist the action at all.
“Also…” The woman held up a hand like you would a dog when telling them to stay where they were only for her then to disappear out a back door behind the reception desk.

“What happened to the phone call?”
“I though a warm shower and dry clothes would be good”
“What about the kids?”
“We can call them from the room. The girls and Dax will look after them.”

When the old lady returned the hushed conversation that was passing between the young couple stopped suddenly, both looking directly at her grinning innocently almost as if they were trying to hide a dastardly deed. However these smiles soon changed to slightly open mouths and eyes wide with shock as she pulled a rather expensive bottle of champagne from behind her back.
“It’s on the house. Call it our small way of saying Congratulations.”
“Oh you didn’t have to.” Dia interjected feeling slightly guilty for cheating the old lady out of a bottle of champagne.
“Thank you.” Dan grinned as he reached out and picked up the bottle by its neck “Its very kind of you.”

***

Dan had just put down the phone receiver with a small click as the bathroom door opened and Dia walked out of a backdrop of steam with a pure white towel around her. Turning around Dan watched as she walked across the room over towards radiator where the clothes where drying. With a weak smile they glanced at each other, a small tender moment that would have not gone amiss from a look passed between husband and wife.
“Are the children okay?”
“Yeah, they are doing fine.” Dan nodded. “Grace is loving having Pete over and apparently Azeal is loving the freedom away from mummy.”
Dia rolled her eyes at the thought of this and gave a soft chuckle, it sounded so much like her eldest daughter. She was growing up faster then she wanted because soon she would be boarding the train and going off to Hogwarts.
“Are you sure you do not want to ring Fitz…or your parents?”

Dan was not sure if he should have said anything but Dia had turned around and slowly sat down on the bed, her head slowly shaking from side to side. It was clear as anything she did not want to do anything and Dan could not blame her. Standing up Dan walked around to the opposite side of the bed so sit down next to Dia. He could smell the cheap strawberry shampoo that Dia had used when she was having a shower, the water droplets that dripped from her wet hair rolled across her bare shoulder blade simply tempting Dan as it disappeared beneath the rim of the towel.

“I don’t…he…” It was too much and the tears began to fall once again. Straight away Dan’s arms wrapped themselves around her body, pulling her closer to him. Just as if he was comforting his young son Dan gently kissed the top of her head before quietly making soothing noises. He did not know why he did it, she did not know why either but both of them knew it felt nice. For Dan it was the ability to have physical contact with someone while for Dia it was someone being that all important shoulder for her to cry on.

What happened next neither of them had been planning, although they had both thought about it playfully in the past two days neither of them thought that sitting on a feather bed in some random bed and breakfast, arms wrapped around one another and lips pressed against one another’s in a passionate kiss.

***

“Do you feel guilty about this?” Dan could not help but ask as he looked down upon the stunning features of Dia. Her long hair was sprawled all over the bed, her arms were wrapped around his neck and it was clear from the look of her screwed up face she was thinking carefully about her answer.
“No. No I don’t.” It was clear that she was still sour over Fitz’s supposed cheating. “Do you?”
“Yeah, I really do.”

But even this confession and the guilt that was consuming him he could not help himself, Dia had pulled him closer to her once again, there lips pressed against one another, their tongues slipping past each other as they continued on with the affair.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Chapter 6

The Secret Lovers

You would have thought for two unemployed people conducting a secret love affair would be a straight forward job. While their other half’s are at work they could simply just met up and have hot, passionate sex all day long. Well at least this was going to be the plan, the perfect dream that both Dan and Dia had, but when you throw children into the equation things just got a little bit too complicated. In fact the couple where lucky if they could steal an innocent kiss let alone a not so innocent grope. They would spend play dates looking lustfully at one another from across the living room all afternoon long as their children played around them.

“Who wants juice?” Dia called out one late summer’s afternoon as the Hubbles-Hargreaves clan were playing a muggle board game rather loudly.
“ME!!!” Three hands shot up into the air, waving around as if they were trying to signal down a helicopter to land. With a small chuckle at the over eager reaction Dia stood up and walked out of the room, although not before shooting Dan one last look and he did not need to be told twice.
“I…er…I will go and help Dia er…I mean Mrs Hargreaves.”

In truth his own stuttering and nervousness took Dan off guard, he felt nervous, his palms began to sweat and his mouth went uncomfortably dry. It was as if his body and common sense was telling him this was wrong, heck it was wrong but as always happened, as soon as he laid eyes upon the blond haired beauty it all felt right. As he stood behind her, wrapping his arms tightly around her middle it felt right, the now familiar smell of her shampoo still made his heart miss and beat and as Dia slowly turned around from the sink to look at him Dan knew that is was the people they were married too that was intruding on this perfect love that was blossoming between them.

“I missed you.” Dia muttered as she locked her arms around his neck inviting Dan to lean in, resting his forehead against hers as a slightly timid grin filled the man’s rough features.
“I missed you too.” Their lips briefly met as they tenderly kissed. The built up passion and sexual frustration that had been present before had vanished at the mere harmony of being together again.
“Pete and Tanya are going to their grandparents tomorrow…any chance of you doing the same?” Dia raised an eyebrow at this suggestion with a small grin spreading onto her face.
“What did you have in mind Mr Hubbles?”
“Well…”

***

Dan had more planned then Dia had expected. She was thinking it would be a situation of shagging all day long in every room of the house but as normal Dan Hubbles was full of surprises and with a short portkey trip to Spain proved her wrong. A romantic dinner, the freedom to walk round hand in hand at local markets, the laughter they shared, the love making session on the beach…it was just all too perfect. Dia felt spoilt, never had anyone, not even Fitz done anything this perfect, but Dan had. Everything he did was perfect, even his mere touch would send shivers down her spine. In Dia’s mind it would have been impossible for anyone not to have fallen in love with Dan Hubbles. He was everything she wanted!

***

“You alright love?” Fitz looked over the dining room table at his wife. She seemed distracted and distant instead of hanging on his every word like normal…or at least like how she used to.
“Yes of course darling.” Her voice was dreamy if not a little frustrated that she had been awoken from her perfect dream world that consisted of memories of her and Dan.
“You just seem…oh I don’t know.”
“What?”
“Well slightly distracted.”

She knew what he was getting at, in their younger years Fitz used to boast about being able to cause Dia to go all doe eyed and bite her lower lip as she dreamed of more intimate times in the bedroom. If the circumstances where different and Dia did not have a resentment for her husband and the fact he had cheated on her first maybe she would have tried to hide her longing for Dan, she wanted Fitz to feel the same confusion as she had done, the same bitterness in the mouth and the same sinking feeling of the gut as you suspect that your partners is cheating on you.

“Dia?” There was a note of irritation slipping into Fitz’s voice as his gaze was fixed upon his wife who seemed to be prolonging the silence at the dinner table almost out of spite then anything else.
“Sorry I…I have a slight headache.” She gave a soft laugh as she forced herself to look upon the face of her husband. “I think I need some fresh air. I have been indoors all day.” Fitz did not even have time to argue, Dia had stood up, pulled her jacket off the back of the chair and had exited the front door heading straight for the arms of Dan.

***

Sweat was running down Dan’s back as he rolled over onto the coldness of the mattress of the cheap hotel room that the two of them had rented. Even as he handed over the money Dan had felt dirty, they were checking into a hotel simply so that they could spend some time together. It just seemed to confirm to both Dan and Dia that their affair was simply wrong. But then even as they lay there in the stuffy room, the distant hum of the air conditioning was mere background noise to the thoughts that were racing around their heads.

“It’s too hot for this.” Dan chuckled as he rolled onto his side so that he could get a better look at the women lying next to him. His cool blue eyes moved up and down her naked body as he watched her chest rise up and down as Dia tried to catch her breath.
“Far too hot.” She panted as she moved her hand up to her forehead, pulling the hair away from her face.
“Worth it though.” Dan grinned as he cheekily.
“So worth it.” Dia concurred as her arms reached out and pulled her lover closer, their lips once again locking in a passionate kiss. All thoughts of a sleazy affair went out the window when they were in each others arms, tasting one another and being one.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Chapter 6
The Beginning of the End

They were both lying on their backs as they stared at the ceiling of the living room, their heavy breathing only being disrupted by the small fits of laughter that the two adults had found themselves in. The thought that the kids were playing upstairs totally oblivious to the act of adultery their parents had just completed on the antique rug that Offley’s parents had given them as a wedding present to them seemed too funny for words. Dia still could not believe she had let Dan talk her into doing that, the chances of them being caught where sky high but the aspect of danger seemed to heighten the thrill of it all, it made her feel so alive.

Her blue eyes were still transfixed on the glass lampshade when she felt Dan’s presence once more. He had rolled onto his side and was gently kissing Dia’s arm, slowly making his way further up towards her neck until she found his lips locked upon hers. There was a passion in the kiss that neither of them felt with their spouses; maybe it was the simple thought of something new, the break away from the norm that was so enticing. Even as they were sharing this passionate moment Dan could not help but smile, ever since he laid eyes upon Dia that day in Diagon Alley he could not think of anything but wanting to be with her.

“I want to stay like this forever.” Dan muttered as he looked down upon the fair, although admittedly flushed features of Dia. Gently he reached up and brushed a strand of her perfect blond hair out of her equally perfect eyes. In all honestly Dan loved everything about this woman and Dia was not stupid, she could tell by the doting look in his cool blue eyes that he felt the same way as she did about her roguish lover. Lying here with Dan was the happiest Dia could remember feeling in so long, the more she strained her memory and recalled her early years with Fitz she could not remember anything like this. The silent resentment she held always seemed to take the gleam off her love for him; Fitz was the reason she did not get to see the world but then she would not trade her children in for anything.
“Run away with me?”

Dia was snapped out of her daydream and her eyes focused upon the blond haired man who was still leering over her, his boyish charm seemed to have faltered slightly as there seemed to be real meaning and feeling in his gaze. This is what took Dia back, not the question being posed but more the emotion that had carried the statement. “Oh y-your not joking.” The smile seemed to have faded quickly off both of their faces as Dan quickly sat up while Dia propped herself up with her elbows. It seemed that his ego had been damaged by her moment of weakness and an uneasy silence fell over the living room, the sound of banging and playful laughter floated down from upstairs bring the reality of the situation crashing back down. They were both married, they both had responsibilities yet they were acting like irrational teenagers.

“Dan?” Sitting up properly Dia tried to rest a hand on his shoulder only for it to be shrugged off as Dan stood up, desperately hunting for his clothes. “Dan?”
“Forget it Dia.” His voice was weak, just like a man whose dreams had been cruelly shattered.
“I’ve upset you though.” Dia spoke meekly as she watched Dan silently button up his shirt, he was avoiding looking at her and she was not sure if it was because he was ashamed of himself or her. Looking down at herself Dia suddenly became aware that she was sitting in the middle of a married man’s living room in nothing but her skin. Her cheeks grew warm once more as she too quickly started to gather herself together, the silence continuing and only nervous glances passed between the two of them as they tried to work out what was racing through the others mind. Dan wishing he had not said anything, Dia wishing she had said yes.

***

Dan had not contacted Dia after the incident that haunted her dreams, she had only just finished dressing when Azeal came crashing through the living room door with Peter and Molly in toe. This had prompted a quick exit from the Hargreaves family before another word could be shared between the lovers, leaving Dan standing on the doorstep of the small semi-detached house, staring at the closed white PVC door lost in his own world.

Every morning Dia sat waiting for the owl to arrive with the post, she would desperately shuffle through the envelopes looking for a quick scribbled note from Dan, longing for the moment one would read ‘Meet me in the park’ or ‘Please run away with me’ but still nothing came. It was not just her own depression and self loathing Dia had to deal with, Azeal was very in tune with the world around her for a eight year old girl and she would constantly ask what was wrong with mummy or why they were not seeing Pete and Mr Hubbles.

Finally, one wet Thursday morning a rather sodden looking owl fluttered in through the window and dropped a note in front of Dia as she sipped on her morning cup of tea. It was the message she had been waiting for, she recognised Dan’s hand writing straight away and with trembling hands she ripped open the envelope and hastily unfolded the small slip of parchment.

Dia,
Can we meet this afternoon? How about 2 o’clock at the normal place, don’t bring the kids Pete and Tanya are staying in with Offley…its her day off, I told her I had an errand to run.
Please send a reply ASAP; the owl will still be waiting.

Dan

Her blue eyes darted over the small note three times as she tried to absorb every possible bit of information. She could not help but feel slightly disappointed by the letter, he did not say how much he had been missing her, he did not even sign it ‘love Dan’, it just seemed too formal. But then she should not have expected a Shakespeare worthy sonnet he was properly writing the message in fear of being caught by Offley, yes that must have been it. Yet true to his word the wet tawny owl was still perched on the back of the kitchen chair waiting to ferry back her response to its owner.

Dan,
I shall be there alone, I have missed you.
Love
Dia

***

The weather was reminiscent of the first time the two of them had slept together after being caught out in the rain. That had been the start of this crazy love affair and as Dan stood in the middle of the field underneath a large black umbrella he could not help but find it ironic how the weather was matching his mood, dark and miserable but then the small breaks in the cloud allowed the odd patch of golden sun to shine through. The moment of giddy happiness passed over him as a small pop sounded out over the field and the blond haired beauty approached him under a lilac umbrella.

It would have been a lie to say that Dan had not missed Dia; he had missed her smile, her perfume and even her bushy eyebrows. There was still a part of him that just wanted to run forward, take hold of her hand and run off into the distance so that they could start a new life together. But this was reality and here she now stood, in a short black skirt, a cute little jacket that revelled part of her white blouse that pocked out from underneath, she looked beautiful especially compared to himself. Dan was there in a pair of warn out jeans and a jumper that was too big for him.

“Hi.”
“Hey.”

Silence fell over them, the sound of the rain pattering on the umbrella created uneven background track to their meeting.

“I missed you.” Dia’s soft voice finally broke out.
“Yeah, I…I missed you too.” His hesitation did not fill Dia with great confidence.
“You okay?” Her head tilted to one side as she studied his face, it did not seem as tired as it once was. The bags under his eyes had faded and his stubbly beard had been tamed and trimmed.
“Hmmm yeah. Things are good thanks. W-what about you?”
“Yeah good, quiet but good.”

They had to force small talk, this was not like them! When it came to greeting on another normally when they met here things sort of carried themselves. They would be embraced tightly in one another’s arms, lips locked in a passionate kiss and hand sliding down to one another’s behinds. Swallowing hard Dan looked away from Dia as another awkward silence fell over them, and he knew for the shake of his cold and wet feet, let alone his aching heart, he was just going to have to come out with it.

“I…I can’t do this anymore Dia.” The stony expression that filled his face matched his tone of voice as he desperately tired to look Dia in the eyes. “I, well we both have responsibilities to think about and my marriage with Offley…well things are looking up. What we are doing…it is not worth the risk.”

Dia could not believe what she was hearing; Dan had dragged her out in the rain, into the middle of a field to break-up with her. What was this? High school? Shaking her head Dia thought this was some joke Dan was trying to pull, in a minute he would burst out laughing and sweep her off her feet and they would make love right there on the grass in the pouring rain. But the long the silence lasted and Dan’s face reminded sombre the harder and faster her stomach began to drop.

“You’re serious?” The man just nodded his head and as he did Dia’s now trembling hand reached up and positioned itself on her forehead, its favourite position in time of stress and emotional shock. “That’s it?” Still Dan just nodded his head, he dared not speak as he knew as soon as he allowed the words to tumble they would crack and be laced with emotion. As he stood their under his umbrella his heart was breaking, any minute now he would break down into tears, he loved Dia but he could not abandon his family simply to chase a fantasy. He was a Hubbles and family was everything to a Hubbles.

“I am sorry.” He muttered, dropping his gaze knowing he had done Dia wrong.
“It’s fine.” She lied, her hand dropping to her side. “I understand. You have Offley, I have Fitz. We should never have embarked on such a stupid love affair, not when children are involved.”
“I never deserved you.” Dan crocked; his lower lip started to tremble drastically as his face contorted and strained to stop the tears from flowing. “I-I w-will never forget our time together.”
“Ditto.” Dia was too proud to cry, she would not let Dan’s last memory of her being one of blood shot eyes and a snotty nose. Instead Dia breathed in the sharp autumn air and shook her head as if shaking off the tears. Clearing her throat and with a weak smile Dia held her head high and looked directly at the man that her naive heart ached for.

“Goodbye Daniel.”
“Goodbye Dia.”

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Chapter 7
5 Years Later

It had been years since that final goodbye in the middle of that rain soaked field. Life had continued as if nothing odd had occurred, both being proud in their nature Dan and Dia did not let their strong yearning for one another get in the way of life. In fact in the five years that had passed so much had changed in their lives they did not have time to sit and dream about what could have been.

“DAD!” The loud cry from Peter sounded out of the noise of platform nine and three quarters and the eleven year old boy ran up to his well tanned father, wrapping his arms around his neck and being freely swung around by Dan. “Mum said you were not going to make it back in time.”
“And miss your first journey to Hogwarts. Never in a million years.”
“Not even in a trillion?”
“I would not miss it even in a zillion.”

The eleven year old Pete, who now looked more like his father with ever passing day made a face of astonishment at the statement of a zillion years. Peter had no idea how many zero’s that was but it would be loads! With a small laugh Dan let his son lead him through the crowds towards Offley and little Tanya who gave an equally amazed reaction at seeing her father. With a wide grin Dan swooped the five year old off her feet and planted a large kiss on her cheek only for the red haired girl to wipe it away with the back of her coat sleeve and stick her tongue out in disgust.

“Dad, Dad, Dad…how was Peru?” Pete was still grinning up at Dan, ignoring the fact that the final whistle was being blown for everyone to get on the train.
“It is brilliant mate. I will write to you about it tonight so you have something to brag to all your mates about on the Hufflepuff table at breakfast tomorrow morning.”
“You sure I will get into Hufflepuff dad?” The nerves were clear in his voice.
“Of course mate, you’re a Hubbles and I have brought you up to make a great Hufflepuff.” With his free hand Dan ruffled the boy’s spiked blond hair before pushing him towards the train making sure he would actually get onboard.

“I wish you would not put pressure on him like that.” Offley frowned after all the goodbyes had been shared and Pete was safely on the train and out of ear shot.
“What? He needs to keep the tradition up.” Dan looked over at Offley with raised eyebrows as if inviting her to say something else, but instead the thin woman merely shook her strawberry blond locks and kissed her daughter lightly on the cheek.
“Mummy has to go to work now, but you shall spend the day with Daddy.” The little girl nodded obediently before resting her head on her Dad’s shoulder.
“Have her home by four and please no ice cream.”
“You’re leaving?” Dan looked at Offley confused; the red steam train was still at the platform.
“If I leave now I beat the rush.”
“Fair enough.” Dan just shrugged and turned his attention back to the train, giving Pete a wide grin as he waved at them through the window.

***

It was not until the train had departed that Dan saw her, it was like something would have been carefully choreographed so that it fit into a blockbuster movie, not real life. But as the noise of the Hogwarts Express chugging away faded into the distance the smoke and steam began to part as swarms of parents moved off the platform Dan caught the first glimpse. He would have spotted her from a mile off, she had not changed at all over the years and as a result his heart still gave that strange lurch when the realisation set in that it was her, it was Dia Hargreaves.

In the early years after he had ended things Dan had always imagined this moment when the two of them would bump into each other once again. Every time he acted it out something different happened but it normally ended up with him being cool, calm and collected while she swooned over him. Other times he always just saw himself turning and walking the opposite way avoiding any sort of contact with her. But now the situation was here he did not know what to do and as a result found himself walking straight towards her with his daughter still in his arms.

“Hi.” It was so alike of their first hello; his voice seemed to have got lost along the way leaving the statement hanging in the air. For Dia however this was a greeting she had been dreading, she knew as she woke up this morning that he would be there, Peter was a year younger then Azeal so he would have been starting today, she just hoped that she could have left the platform without arousing any suspicion and seeing him. But it was too late for that now, he had greeted her and the good manors that her parents had installed in her meant that she automatically turned around and with a rather weary smile returned the man’s greeting.

“Hello Daniel. You’re looking well.”
“Yeah, so are…” Dan never got to finish his statement as he finally noticed the child that was holding onto Dia’s hand. It was a small child, younger then Tanya and his thick blond hair flopped about as he moved his head from side to side watching the world rush by. “Who’s this?” Dan could not help but grin as he looked down at the small blond haired boy.
“Oh, this is my son Jeremy.”
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