(Majestic Bird) Returning

[Henry Boggleworth]

Impacted snow crunched underneath the booted feet as they trudged down the main highstreet of Hogsmeade, arriving off the beaten track. Two men walked along, one quickly, a jump in his step and the other slowly, dragging their feet. The younger of the two's smile was infectious, his eyes bright enough to melt the snow about him if they stared long enough. But they roamed all about absorbing the landscape, eagerly lapping up all that was around him, his senses tingling and alive.

With a spring in his step, the younger looked back at his companion, gesticulating wildly for him to hasten. "You've waited long enough," growled the elder, "can't ya'll wait a while longer?" He laughed though, finding the young man's enthusiasm infectious, besides he was used to it by now.
"Certainly not," replied Boggleworth tartly spinning on his heel to round upon Catt. "You've kept her from me for far too long." Catt's eyebrows raised in surprise but he countered swiftly.
"No need te toss blame about." Boggleworth breathed deeply, the cold air, calming his temper that flared so quickly, with the touchy subject of his leaving Grace. Sighing he muttered the vagueries of an apology, but grabbed Catt by the arm saying, "just hurry up will you?"
"Ok ok, it's a damn good thing that she's worth all this hassle." Catt quickened his pace to equal Boggelworth's brisk walk as they approached their destination Boggleworth's excitement grew, along with his apprehension, Grace had a right to be angry with him he knew it, that's why he'd nearly decided to delay the moment, but his passion had overridden that.

Eyes flickering all about they finally settled upon the southern end; a quaint restaurant, that must be it. "Well here we are," he chattered excitedly, "do I look alright?" he demanded of Catt, he didn't want to look a state before her.
"Quite shiny, now just get in there man," he gave Boggleworth a friendly push, "meet me back at base, by tonight." He ordered crisply as Boggleworth laughed, near giggling like a school girl he was so excited, "course," he answered distractedly, his eyes fixed upon the restaurant before him.
"By 11 sharp," Boggleworth continued to stare listlessly so Catt shook his head grabbing a hold of his lapel and spinning him, "gorram it Bog are you listenin'? You'd best be back, or there'll be hell to pay, we need ye rising early tomorrow." Boggleworth's face darkened as he answered curtly, "I know precisely when you want me back Cattrim, I'll be there, but now the love of my life is calling to me." He pried Catt's fingers off of his coat, and bowed, "later my friend." He patted his shoulder smiling happily, Catt chuckled
"aye I'll wager I will, you're a man of yer word." Turning he strolled off without a backward glance, leaving Boggleworth hopping from foot to foot in nervous anticipation.
What if she slaps me? Or worse hates me? He thought worriedly, as he tried to calm his erratic breathing, straightening his coat, he near ran over to the restaurant entrance. Taking one deep breath he unlocked the door with a whispered "Alohomora," pushing open the white washed door admiring the decour as his heart pounded furiously, the smile upon his lips impossible to get rid of, except by one person possibly. The bell tinkled as he stepped inside his nervousness plain, and his gaze flitting all over searching for Grace...

It was early morning on December the 27th, at precisely 6 o'clock when Henry Boggleworth walked back into the life of Grace Marks.

[Prof Grace Marks]

It was still too early for The Majestic Bird to be open but there had been movement and excitement and a hubbub that was electrifying. Sianna, Cook and Grace had been up throughout the night and through the morning. The three had been doing the books. It sounds a dull work but what they found was more magnificent then any could have hoped for. Cook revealed a special talent he had for doing book work and working with money and Grace had found that invaluable. Cook didn't think so, he reminded her every time she brought it up that his wages were enough for his culinary and book keeping skills.

Round six, Grace was able to give Sianna her Christmas bonus and a sizable one at that, and the two excitable young women began to jump up and down in a circle, shrieking and laughing together. Cook rocked back and forth on his chair and laughed at the 'girls' laughing. The sound of the door bell tinkling got lost amongst the laughter but a tall figure standing in the doorway, open door at his back was not missed. It took a moment for anyone to see the figure, and of all who it could have been it was Sianna who saw him.

Sian let go of Grace's hands with a little frightened shriek and shuffled backwards, staring wide eyed at the door. Grace was shocked and watched Sianna for a moment before turning and looking to where Si and Cook were looking. Though where the figure was standing was not lit, Grace recognised him immediately. She shrieked with joy, ran to him and jumped in Bog's arms. "I can't believe you came," she whispered, hugging her arms tighter around his neck.

Grace had been dreaming about this moment for a long time, the longest she could remember having waited for anything, and now it was happening. She had gotten what she wanted for Christmas (though two days late but who was she to complain?).

[Henry Boggleworth]

Standing there in the dimly lit doorway Boggleworth gazed around in amazement at just how good the place looked, but his main focus was trying to find Grace, and his face lit up like a Christmas tree when his sparkling eyes alighted upon the love of his life. If anything she'd grown more beautiful which he found hard to imagine as she'd been perfect, to him, before. Jumping forward she made it to his arms first and he grabbed her swinging her around with unabashed and unreserved joy, spinning her about with pure excitement he eventaully set her down lightly upon the ground, his smile was so wide and his heart thumping crazily. Tears shimmering in his eyes he grabbed Grace passionately raining kisses all over her face, even upon her nose. Running a hand through the hair he so adored Boggleworth drew Grace into a tight, passionate kiss upon the lips as he tenderly caressed her neck he dragged himself away, taking her head in his soft hands, looking into her eyes, his own shimmered with unshed tears of joy, and his smile was huge. "I've constantly prayed for this moment," he said lips quivering, "I love you Grace," he spoke softly drawing her into a squeezing, passionate hug.

He was completely oblivious to their company resting his head upon her shoulder, in its usual nook, running a hand gently through her hair. He'd imagined this moment ever since he'd left, but he'd feared it so, feared she'd hate him for leaving the way he had, even if he believed his reasons were right and just, they weren't nearly enough. He'd told Catt he'd be back; he'd lied, he couldn't leave Grace again, the hatred at himself for leaving the way he had; without a word, had eaten him up inside, destroying himself from the inside out. He'd wanted her to journey with him, to be by his side, but it would have endangered her, that was the excuse he kept telling himself, and that was really what he believed. He'd known she'd survive, but where he'd gone their relationship might not have, it had been better that way, he only hoped that absence really did make the heart grow fonder, it ahd for him. He'd done what he'd set out to do, now he was back, and here to stay he prayed, but she had to know, he'd had to go, he'd had to.

Now he expected harsh words, but had received only loving arms so far, he just hoped they stayed that way, even if he deserved much, much worse; and he knew it.

[Prof Grace Marks]

As she was in his arms again, Grace felt like they had never been apart. As they kissed it was like nothing had taken them apart and like nothing ever would. But as they broke apart Grace was brought to the realisation that this was not so. She held him tightly, as though if she slackened her grip he may slip away and never be seen again. She had been longing for this for so long and now that it was here, he was there it was surreal and a little overwhelming. Feeling his skin on hers, his lips on hers, his hand in her hair felt like some strange hyper reality that she must have fallen into during the night.

She cupped her hands on his cheeks and held his face close to hers, looking closely into his eyes. She held him there for a second, studying the eyes she had once though she would stare into for the rest of her life. "I love you too," she said slowly after a moment. The sound of a scraping chair could be heard from behind her as Cook stood up and guided Sianna to the kitchen. Cook understood the two youngsters needed some space. Grace didn't notice them leave, she had only eyes for Bog and in that moment she pushed herself onto her toes and kissed him, something she had not been allowed to do for far to long in her opinion.

Memories and flashes of their relationship whizzed through her mind followed by the pain she had been feeling since graduation. Suddenly she pulled away from Bog, pushing him away. She glared at Bog for a split second with the past months pain fueled into anger. Her arm flew fast and as her palm connected with Bog's cheek a lowed smack echoed around the small room. "You left," Grace shrieked indignantly, "you left!" She couldn't find other words that would form in her mouth. She wanted to ask why, she wanted to scream and shout, she wanted an explanation but she couldn't find the words.