Tide Me Over (closed, with Irridatedwarden)

[Interstellar Bun]

The train pulled into the station and Felicia stood on the tips of her toes to remove her luggage from above her head. Finally out of her school uniform, Felicia smoothed her sweater down before following the line of students out of the Hogwarts Express. The platform was lined with witches and wizards all waiting to embrace their children as they returned for a short period.


Holding her luggage in both of her hands, she stood on the tips of her toes and tried to see if she could spot her parents anywhere.


The tests were over and she was glad to finally be able to turn her mind off for just a little bit.


Without looking behind her to see if Mark had followed her, Felicia darted off into the crowd when she finally saw her father.


"Papa!" She wrapped her arms around him when she reached him, feeling his long arms embrace her and the pressure of his cane on her back. "Is mother at home?"


"She is. Is your friend going to be joining us again, the odd one who likes trees?"


"Ah, no, but I do have a new friend." She turned to look for Mark, standing closely to her father. It should have been easy to see him with how tall he was.

 

[sumurset]

He was incredibly glad the tests had gone over so smoothly.


He'd studied well enough. They were relatively easy. All except COMC, and the history of magic.


Those were never easy. His worst subjects.


His thoughts were preoccupied, not with them, but with his new excitement. Fi was leading him to her parents just as she had lead him to the Hospital Wing, the day they met. It was quite amusing, really. Unfortunately, he was more focused on thinking about what was happening, than what was happening itself.


Fi had disappeared and he had no idea where she ran off to.


Using is height to his advantage, the half-blood waded through the thick, excited crowd. He was completely at a loss as where she was until he saw her turn away from a man she'd embraced. She seemed to be looking for him. Which was nice. Her expression made him happy.


With a smile that could melt even experienced women's hearts, he made his way over to them. Upon recognizing the man as her father, he extended a hand.


"Thank you for allowing me to stay with your daughter over the holidays, sir."

 

[Interstellar Bun]

Celaden had a long face with small scars etched across his features in something that was sure a once vicious attack. Sliding the arm that was draped around his daughter back down to his side, there was a brief moment in which he looked the boy, well, young man, over. No, he was not the awkward tree loving boy Felicia had taken home her first year at Hogwarts. There was a sort of awkward charm about Tristan, something that made it easy to accept him as Felicia's friend.


But this boy- he was different.


He was tall and it was with great horror that Celaden realized he was handsome and that smile of his wasn't making things better either.


Leaning slightly on his cane, Celaden grasped Mark's hand and gave it a shake that was probably a bit too firm.


"We're always happy to give Fi's friends a place to stay. Are you a new friend of hers? I don't think she's written much about you."


"We met this year, this is Mark, the Slytherin boy who's arm I broke."


"Ah." Celaden gave a chuckle, draping his arm back around Felicia's shoulders. "Well, it's nice to meet you Mark, I'm Celaden. Shall we be off?"


He motioned with his cane and, without waiting for an answer, he went off through the crowd.

 

[sumurset]

He would have responded to the question, but Fi answered before he could. Mark felt rather out of place as he trailed behind them. The odd firmness Celaden had used while shaking his hand lingered. It was interesting, but so was the assessing look he'd gotten.


Wondering what that could have been about--after all, the man had no reason to dislike him--Mark tugged the strap of his bag further onto his shoulder. The handshake didn't bother him. It was the studious look. After all, Mark's father shook far more aggressively than that. It was the only form of affection he could expect. The man didn't like hugs, even if they were for his son. Not after Mark had left for Hogwarts.


When he left, everything had changed.


That was something he didn't want to think about, however. He just wondered what Felicia's parents would be like. He had never been in a house run by two.

 

[Interstellar Bun]

Celaden paused when he noticed that the boy was trailing behind them rather than beside him. He slowed his pace a little, hoping that would prompt him to catch up. His cane clicked steadily as he moved and, once they were in a bit of space clear from everyone else, he offered Mark his arm.


"You have apparated before, yes?" Clear blue eyes looked to mark and there was a warm flicker in his eyes, something almost playful.


Apparition was an advanced spell, and something Celaden enjoyed doing. It was more efficient than the floo-powder network and it never seemed to lose it's charm when he did it.


Felicia leaned forward a little to peer around her father and smile at Mark.


Celaden was being a little...standoffish, Felicia could see that, but she was sure he'd warm up. Things were probably just trying at work, besides, it wasn't as though he was completely disapproving. If he was, he wouldn't have agreed to let her bring a friend home for the holidays.


Well, not unless Esette talked him into it, which was very possible.

 

[sumurset]

For a moment, Mark was confused as to why he was being offered the man's arm. When he mentioned apparition, however, the young man took his arm and nodded.


"Yes, but only a few times."


His amber eyes flickered over to Felicia for a moment, and the previous smile returned to his face. The grip he had on Celaden's arm tightened slightly--hardly noticeable, but definitely so if one was paying attention.


And in a moment they were no longer standing in the train station. Instead, they were all facing a nice house.


Mark was a bit wobbly on his feet for a moment, but let go of Fi's dad. He didn't want the man to know.


He also felt nauseous. Not badly enough to vomit, but he wasn't comfortable in any sense.


Clearing his throat the boy adjusted his pack again and waited for the other two to lead him in.

 

[Interstellar Bun]

Celaden let his arm drop away from Felicia. The home was surrounded by almost nothing but rolling hills, a dirt path leading up to the pale stone cottage. It was quirky, a bit odd with how the three floors were leveled and organized with the door being on the second floor and a path of stairs leading up to it. Arching off from the home was a half circle structure, a small table sitting there, surrounded by vines and bushes that had gone dormant with the cool weather.


The door opened and a soft looking woman stepped half way out of it, a quilt in hand.


"Ah, mon chou!" She smiled, her expression warm and bright even from the distance.


Celaden felt his heart soften as Felicia moved forward, taking the steps quickly to go meet her mother. It always amazed him just how lovely his wife was. Unable to stop the faint smile on his features, he motioned for Mark to head in as he followed along, taking the stairs at a slightly slower pace.


Esette stopped fussing over her slightly taller daughter in French when she saw the blond boy. When he reached the top of the steps, she gave him a hug as well, letting her hands rest on his arms for a moment.


"And you must be Mark, oui? I was just finishing setting up your bed, goodness I ope it is long enough for you. But please come in, goodness you must be cold out here. Did you travel well? How did you do on your exams?" She was addressing both of them as she stepped back inside the impossibly clean and welcoming home.

 

[sumurset]

Mark was rather taken aback as well. When Esette showed in the door he couldn't help but notice how picturesque it all was. Beautiful house, a beautiful family.. It was something he'd never had before. It seemed nice.


He grinned as he approached the woman, gratefully accepting the hug. She seemed so enthusiastic. About everything. All the questions she asked, he knew she was genuinely curious. She actually wanted to know. He couldn't help but compare it to the boring, disinterested tone his father had when he went back home.


"Thank you for having me over, ma'am." He paused for a moment before answering. "The train trip was fun," at that he glanced at Fi, "and I think the NEWTs went well enough."

 

[Interstellar Bun]

"Ma'am? Oh please, just call me Esette. But I am glad you are doing well. And you, my dear?" Esette looked to Felicia as Celaden joined them, pulling his wife close and pressing a kiss to the side of her forehead.


"I think I did well enough," Felicia removed her scarf and hung it up on a hook as she moved out of the mudroom and in to the living room. "I did not remove Slughorn's eyebrows this time, so I think that is a mark of improvement." She looked back towards her mother. "Would you like me to show Mark to the guest room so he can settle in?"


"Oh would you kindly? I'll get some food started for all of us."


"Of course, mère." Taking the quilt from Esette's arms, Felicia set her luggage down for a moment before heading for the stairs that lead down to the first level. "Right this way, Mark."

 

[sumurset]

Mark nodded, noting that Esette preferred her name, rather than "ma'am." That was fine. It made him far more comfortable. it evened the playing field.


His gaze was focused on Fi for the most part, though he listened to the entire conversation. He noticed where she hung her scarf. Not wanting to seem rude, he took off his own and hung it up beside her's. The silver and green looked rather nice next to the blue and grey.


The warm smile returned to his features at the site. When Felicia called for his attention, he internally chastised himself for being such an infatuated nimrod. He couldn't afford to let the crush go any further. It was getting ridiculous.


His expression dropped almost immediately into a neutral chagrin. A nod in acknowledgement, and the boy followed her down the stairs to the guest room.


Really, what was he thinking. She was pretty, yes, and so terribly smart, but school was more important. He couldn't prove his father right.





Curses.

 

[Interstellar Bun]

The stairs lead down to a small sitting area. Three doors branched off from the room, one on the far side and two opposing one another. Heading to the door on the left, the one half open, Felicia pushed it open to show a suite styled bedroom. The room was bright, light filtering in through the double windows on the back wall, the lacy curtains drawn aside. The bed was made and fresh flowers sat on a short vase on the dresser.


Felicia unfolded the pinwheel quilt and draped it across the bed.


"I, ah, hope this is up to your standards." She glanced down, tucking her hair back behind her ear. He was a Slytherin, so obviously he had to be a pureblood, he had to be wealthy, had to be what every other Slytherin was.


That might have been a bit closed-minded, but what else was she supposed to think when every Slytherin she knew was like that?


Felicia's family did well enough, but their home was built for comfort rather than to impress. She didn't have a large mansion, didn't have house elves, and they didn't live like they were purebloods. Of course, she never thought of that until she had someone over.


"Either way, do you think there is anything you will need, or should I leave you to unpack?" Her smile was back when she looked up at him.

 

[sumurset]

Mark looked around the room. He was incredibly impressed, but he refrained from showing it. His home was not nearly this nice. Just a simple flat his dad rented.


This was quite nice. Someplace he knew she was very lucky she had.


But what pureblood would say that?


"I'm fine. You can linger if you'd like, I wouldn't mind company."


He looked at her with a small smile before shrugging off his pack. Placing it on the bed, he pulled open the drawstrings and started pulling out his clothes.


Three day outfits, one casual around-the-house outfit, one tee for pajamas, one pair of shorts, and one pair of flannel pants. The latter was the best to wear shirtless. Hence the reason he only packed one night-tee.


Mark was nothing if not organized.


The clothes were all folded; the pajamas he would wear that night set on his bed, and the others tucked away in the empty dresser he saw.

 

[Interstellar Bun]

He said she could linger, so she did. Moving over to the window, she sat on the frame and opted to keep Mark company as he unpacked.


"I am glad your parents let you come over to stay for a bit, truth be told, I did not think you would be allowed to."


Going over to the home of another family for Christmas was a touchy subject for some, she knew that. Her parents probably wouldn't let her do it, after all, holidays were an important tradition for them.


And yet, she had invited him anyway, something that day in the library told her to, why that was, she couldn't very well say.


She opted not to think too much on it.


"You do not talk about your family much, if I might ask, what are they like?"


She sounded curious after all, most of their friendship focused on school topics rather than anything personal, well...except that one thing she tried quite hard to forget.

 

[sumurset]

"He. What is he like."


He didn't mean to sound bitter or touchy about the subject, but he missed his mom. Sure, he'd never actually met her, but his dad--in the rare moments he let his guard down--talked so fondly of her. It made it hard not to miss her.


Mark sighed, shaking his head as he closed the drawer.


"Sorry. It's only me and my dad. That's what I am trying to say."

 

[Interstellar Bun]

She blinked. Her eyes widened before she looked down at her hands, tugging at her fingers.


"Oh, dear, my apologies."


It was in her to always just assume that everyone had two parents like her, that they had a support group like she did.


Looking back up, she carefully continued.


"What is your father like, then?"

 

[sumurset]

Mark shrugged, turning to look at her.


"Nothing terribly special. A typical father, I suppose. Just like any other."


He felt that something was wrong about that sentence, but was reluctant to admit it.


What could he possibly reference to prove otherwise?


His dad had always been there for him. Always. Even if he seemed to hate every minute of it.


He did what a parent had to do. That was enough, right?


"Not nearly as kind as your mother seems to be. He can be...." his eyes narrowed slightly in thought, "a bit standoffish, I suppose. Spiteful."

 

[Interstellar Bun]

"My mother is not a fair point of reference, I do not think I have ever met anyone as kind as her." She was half joking.


But she had to be to work at St. Mungo's, had to be able to empathize with anyone who came in. Felicia wanted to be like her, strove to be as kind and accepting. In so many ways, Esette was the best mother she thought anyone could have.


But, then she let that last word Mark used to linger in her head. Spiteful. She'd never heard anyone describe their father like that.


Sure, her own dad was standoffish and could be downright rude, but he wasn't so bad and he was kind at his very core. He wasn't spiteful.


"I do not suppose he could be so bad, after all, he raised you and you are quite nice to me."

 

[sumurset]

"I suppose."


In truth, he was far nicer to Fi than anyone else. Mark was fairly infamous amongst his peers for being one of the most prolific backhand complimenters. He could be downright cruel to people. To him, it only mattered that he came out on top.


That was just what he'd learned to do to survive, though. Lucius understood that, at least.


Mark cleared his throat, then, and changed the subject.


"Do you think your mom is done with dinner?"

 

[Interstellar Bun]

"Hmm? Oh, probably." She slid off of the small perch she had been sitting on and smoothed her skirt down. "We should go see...and I need to go unpack my own things now that I am thinking about it."


The idea of dragging her luggage up stairs wasn't an appealing one. Still, it'd be nice to see her room again, to sleep in her own bed completely alone. She didn't mind the dorms, not much, but she liked her privacy, and she liked being able to decorate how she desired.


Despite being a fifth year, she still got homesick.


The young witch slipped out of the room and started ascending the steps to the second floor once more.


"Are you picky when it comes to your food, Mark?"

 

[sumurset]

"Not at all."


He had followed her out of the room, seeing no reason to linger. Especially if food was on the horizon.


A small smile had taken home of his lips. It was too nice and welcoming a place to deny a good smile.


Mark didn't do it enough.


When they had reached the second floor, the young man's smile warmed further. Esette was such a lovely woman. He imagined her to be quite like his mom, if she had still been around.


The smell of sausage and potatoes was undeniable. It had warmed him up straight away. The meal would definitely be a good one, and he looked forward to its completion.


Rather than, like a mudblood, saying "oh that smells awesome!" (though he wanted to), Mark walked over and offered his compliments by saying,


"That smells incredibly palatable. An excellent choice on such a chilly evening."

 

[Interstellar Bun]

Esette smiled, a single dimple showing as she reached over and gently pat his arm. "Oh thank you dear, you're too sweet. Would you mind setting the table? The dishes are right up there. and forks are in the drawer below." She motioned with a hand, remember that Mark hadn't actually been there long enough to know where everything was.


Felicia grabbed her luggage. "That smells awesome, mère. I will be right down." With that, she made the effort to drag her luggage up the steps, the thing thumping along the whole way.


Celaden, having been sending a letter off, made his way over to the kitchen. Wrapping an arm around Esette's waist, he kissed her forehead. "Is there anything you need me to do, amour?"


"Get drinks?" She smiled up at him, batting her lashes which only made Celaden chuckle.


"Of course." Pulling away from her, he went to retrieve some mismatched glasses. "Mark, what do you usually drink? We have water, various juices, wine-."


"Celly!" Esette chastized him as she reached over to swat his arm.


"No wine, apparently." He grinned. "Ah, but we do have tea and butterbeer."

 

[sumurset]

Mark hesitated, but only for a moment, before walking over to begin setting the table. He didn't properly know where the things should go. There had never been reason to worry. At Hogwarts, it was taken care of. While home, his dad always just ordered carry-out. Not that he minded.


Watching Celaden and Esette interact made him yearn for something he didn't know he could want. It was something he wasn't sure how to place. Perhaps he was too young, too inexperienced to understand. His dreams and aspirations were still too dream-like for him to recognize such sweet domesticity.


"My father will occasionally let me have a wine, I'm not offended."


He simply shrugged at the options; busy trying to place the forks on the right side.


"Tea sounds perfectly fine."

 

[Interstellar Bun]

Swapping out one of the glasses for a mug, he went about starting a pot of tea. Felicia would, of course, want some as well. Celaden couldn't recall anytime she ever picked anything else over tea if given the option.


Drinks set out, two glasses of red wine poured for him and Esette, he placed a hot pad down in the center of the table so Esette could place the pan there so people could serve themselves as they desired.


Felicia returned just as Celaden was filling the two mugs with tea and placing them at the table as well along with a jar of honey and small container of milk.


Shoes gone, she padded to the table and sat down on one side.


"Thank you for setting the table, dear. I do believe everything is just about ready. Please feel free to dig in." Esette filled her own plate as she sat across from her daughter.


While not lacking manners, the whole family just seemed perfectly lax. After all, they didn't have anyone they were trying to impress.


"So Mark," Celaden took a bite of his food. "Have you thought about what you want to do once you're out of school?"

 

[sumurset]

He sat down as suggested; finding the milk and honey. His tea was mixed to perfection, and he took a sip of it contentedly. It was definitely a nice dinner.


Once his cup was set down, he set about filling a plate with food.


It wasn't easy keeping 200lbs of 6' 4" teenage boy running.


Fi's father's question had him rather surprised. He hadn't expected them to be all that interested.


"My dream is to achieve a position as an auror, though my realistic aspirations involve the Ministry."


He sighed quietly, taking a bite of the food. A hum of pleasure left him, and he took another.


He waited until they were completely chewed and swallowed to continue.


"Wand-making doesn't sound terrible, either."

 

[Interstellar Bun]

"The Ministry?" There was no denying that his eyes lit up a little at that, prompting a quiet 'oh dear' from his daughter. "Fi probably hasn't mentioned it but I work for the Ministry in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. If you can deal with the political side of things, it's not a bad place to work. But wand making sounds nice too."


The smile he gave said that he meant it, it wasn't something to just placate the boy.


"It might be safer considering what's going on."


There was a pause of silence as Esette looked to her husband.


"Let us not bring work home to the table, yes?" She gently pat his hand. "If you wish to terrify them with what's happening you can wait until the dishes are clean."


Felicia knew what he meant and, for a moment, she wondered if Mark knew as well. There was a war brewing, a terrible wizard calling himself the Dark Lord wnating to destroy anyone who stood in his way, anyone who wasn't a pureblood.