Sparks

Sparks 32:

Chapter Thirty-Two:

The Great Hall: Hogwarts:

"So the betrothals have begun," said Madame Hooch to Severus Snape with a sardonic smile.

"Yes," said Professor Flitwick. "It is spring time."

"I wonder if Warrington has bothered to tell his parents that he has betrothed himself to that girl," wondered Snape. "I will undoubtedly find out with tomorrow's post. I do hope the Warringtons will not send a Howler."

"To their son," asked Flitwick curiously.

"No," said Snape with a sigh. "To me."

The professors watched as Chris and Sarah walked out the door, oblivious to everyone else around them.

"I would do a bed check tonight, Severus," said Professor Sprout wisely to Snape.

"As should you," said Severus dryly. "I understand Mr. Warrington has spent a few nights in your tower Pomona."

"But the alarms," said Minerva with surprise.

"Minerva, there isn't a charm that exists," said Flitwick with a grin, "that can thwart a teenage boy and his hormones for long."

The Hogsmeade Brasserie:

"Aurelius," said Claudius with a note of impatience in his voice.

"Yes father," snapped Aurelius.

"We have to talk," said Claudius. He glanced at the crowd surrounding them with a wary look, "in private."

Marcus watched curiously as his father and grandfather cast a privacy charm and began to have what looked to be a rather vigorous argument. He would give his favorite pair of Quidditch gloves in order to hear what they were saying. As long as he could remember, his grandfather had never lost his temper in public before.

"Marcus," sighed Natalya Flint.

"Yes mother," said Marcus as he jerked his attention reluctantly away from his father. He stroked Katie's hand gently with his thumb.

"You've made your father so angry," said Natalya sadly.

"Why do you defend him all the time," said Marcus, suddenly angry, "after everything he's put you through."

"He's all I have," said Natalya with her face pale and set.

"Never mind what he's put you through," said Marcus tightly. "Remember what he's put me through. Don't I matter to you?"

Katie could feel Marcus's body tense up. His hand clenched her own so tightly that she nearly winced in pain. She could feel him trembling with emotion. She reached up a hand and stroked his arm soothingly.

"Of course," said Natalya with a confused expression.

"It's not enough to apologize for him, you know," said Marcus bitterly. "It would have been nice for you to, once and awhile, defend me. But I spent my childhood defending myself and comforting you."

"I'm sorry," said Natalya plaintively.

"I used to look forward, almost desperately, for the times when grandma would come and take me out in London," said Marcus sadly, "or better yet, take me back to the manor to stay."

"Oh Marcus," said Lydia Flint sadly.

"Marcus," said his father's cool voice. "Still feeling sorry for yourself? Telling everyone what a horrid childhood you had? Let me refresh your selective memory. Who gave you your first broomstick? Who taught you to fly? Who took you to your first Quidditch game?"

"You did," said Marcus aggressively. His emotions were being pushed to their limits. Marcus was not sure about how much more he could take.

"Yes, I did," said Aurelius. His eyes were flashing at his son.

Marcus tensed. He learnt early on to recognize the signs that his father's temper was about to snap. His father's cheeks were flushed and his eyes glittered with anger.

"Everything I do is simply not good enough for you," said Marcus as his temper unfurled. The emotional upheaval of the day had finally taken its toll. Katie's soothing hand on his arm never faltered. She knew that the anger was not directed at her. Katie also felt that Marcus needed to tell his father how he felt. The same way she needed to tell her father all the things she needed to say.

"I think I have spent my entire life trying to please you," said Marcus furiously, "but to no avail. My marks are not high enough. My OWLS were too low. I spent too much time playing Quidditch. The time you did spend with me was when I was young. After I went to Hogwarts, it was like you forgot I existed. Sorry, all those owls telling me what a failure I was, don't count."

"Please me?" said Aurelius with an incredulous expression. "You could have cared less what I thought. You always took your mother's side without ever asking to hear my side of the story. I was always the villain. Did you know, she had an affair with Lucius Malfoy for three years?"

"Aurelius!" gasped a very pale Natalya.

"What?" gasped Marcus.

"A year after you were born," said Aurelius with a bitter expression on his face. "You always assumed I was the one, who had the first affair, didn't you? Tell me Marcus, what would you do if you came home one day and found Katie with, let's say, Terrence Higgs?"

"She would never," said Marcus shakily. Katie was stiff with outrage. But all Marcus could remember, at that moment, was that Ter had a huge crush on Katie.

"I said imagine," said Aurelius testily.

Marcus shook his head and looked at his mother with shock.

"Well?" asked Aurelius impatiently.

"I would.... do something terrible," admitted Marcus.

"I would never do something that dishonorable," said Katie stiffly.

"I know," said Marcus softly. He looked at her face and gave her a reassuring smile. He turned to his father and gave him a reluctant nod. "I guess I did judge you too harshly."

A surprised look flashed across Aurelius's face.

"Aurelius," said a shaken Natalya as she broke the sudden silence. "What did you expect? You were always comparing me to that other woman. The one you lived with for nearly twenty years."

"I never mentioned her name in your presence," said Aurelius testily.

"But you thought about Mel-," said Natalya. She stopped talking when she saw the furious expression cross Aurelius's face.

"Never say her name," said Aurelius tightly.

"Aurelius," said Claudius Flint after an uncomfortable silence.

Aurelius sighed and gave his father a look that Marcus could not interpret. He then turned and gave Marcus and Katie a measured glance. Then he threw up his hands and sighed.

"Fine," said Aurelius, "have it your way."

"What are you on about?" asked a confused Marcus.

"You can marry the Bell girl," said Aurelius as he enunciated every word clearly.

A surge of surprise went through Marcus's body. Katie tensed against his side. They stared at Aurelius like he was crazy.

"Trust me," said Aurelius dryly. "It was not my idea. But my father has a valid point. Marcus, you are our only viable heir."

"And," said Claudius's deep voice, "as Marcus has demonstrated today, he is a worthy heir to the Flint legacy. He demonstrated the tenacity, farsightedness and intelligence that we had always hoped to see in our heir."

"On one condition," said Aurelius silkily. Marcus stiffened and gave his father a stoic look.

"What is it?" asked Marcus suspiciously.

"Grandchildren," said Aurelius. "As in more than one."

"I have a condition as well," said Marcus as he raised his chin. His grandfather chuckled and mumbled something about cheek.

"What would that be," asked Aurelius, just as suspiciously as his son.

"I am still going to play for the Falcons," said Marcus firmly. Katie smiled and squeezed Marcus's hand.

"Merlin," said his father with an exasperated look at Claudius. "I told you," said Aurelius accusingly. "Contrary to popular belief, I do know the boy."

"Well," said Marcus with a raised eyebrow.

"Fine," said Aurelius stiffly. "Just as long as you spend the off season with our companies and procreating."

Katie blushed as Marcus gave her a triumphant grin.

The Slytherin Common Room:

"Say Tarquin," asked Derrick as he lounged against a couch. He accepted a glass of 'pumpkin juice' from Bole. "Tell me again, why we can't go to your room?"

"Chris is uhhhhh," said Tarquin as he struggled for a delicate way to put the situation. He poured refills for the rest of the Slytherin team that was ensconced in a private corner of the room.

"Consummating his betrothal," said Montague with a raised eyebrow. He took another sip.

"Yes," said Tarquin. The rest of Slytherin boys started to snicker.

"I never took Warrington to be the type that would do something so melodramatic," said Draco with a puzzled expression.

"I know," said Derrick with a sly smile. "I'm going to never let him forget it, either. A Slytherin on their knees in front of the Hufflepuff table is just plain wrong."

"I always thought that Ter would do something that mad," mused Tarquin thoughtfully.

"Ter liked Hufflepuffs," said Derrick with a shrug. "He used to say a Hufflepuff a day will keep Pomfrey away."

"No," said Tarquin after he finished laughing, "that was Adrian."

"I miss Adrian," said Montague with a wistful expression.

"Yes," said Tarquin with a sigh. "He could get the most straight-laced girls into the dungeon by simply smiling at them."

"And after he made his choice, there was always such a nice selection of disappointed witches to console," said Derrick with a wistful expression.

"Are all those rumours about Pucey true?" asked a dubious Draco.

"Just ask Marcus,' said Tarquin. "He has stories that could make your hair curl."

"Pre-Bell," said Derrick, "Marcus was just as bad as Pucey."

"Do you remember that little Ravenclaw Marcus used to see on the sly," said Tarquin with a grin. "I can't remember her name. She looked like a sweet, innocent little bookworm. Marcus told me she was the wildest lover he had ever had."

"Really?" said Derrick. His eyes widened in surprise. "I remember her. Merlin, the wildest?"

"Marcus said you should never judge a bookworm by her cover," said Tarquin.

"Granger is a bookworm," said Draco with a frown into his now empty glass. He held it out for a refill.

"Marcus also said that she used to bring this book with her. It had naughty pictures," said Tarquin with a smirk. "He said she used to try to tell him about the history behind the book. The only thing Marcus was interested in was that she liked to recreate the pictures, one by one."

"Merlin," said Derrick with a note of awe.

"After Adrian heard about it," said Tarquin with an impish grin, "he tried to get the bookworm to go out with him. She turned him down."

"A girl turned down Adrian Pucey," said Montague with a snort. "That should go down in Hogwarts, a History."

"Where is Marcus, by the way," asked Draco.

"Dinner with parents," said Montague. "I expect he'll need a large tumbler of whatever this stuff is when he gets back."

The Hogsmeade Brasserie:

Stuart Bell broke the stunned silence that fell over the group with a small cough.

"I do believe it's a little early to be discussing children," said Stuart pointedly. "After all, Katie has one more year to go at Hogwarts. I believe that I am not alone when I say that Katie's education is important. Has anyone asked Katie what she wanted to do with the rest of her life? Babies can come later."

"Katie's going to take an advanced course after Hogwarts in advanced potions and Herbology," said Marcus with a smile as he looked down at Katie.

"That is," said Katie, "if I don't get a chance to try out for the Harpies or Puddlemere United."

"Quidditch," said Stuart Bell in surprise.

"Papa," said Katie, "I love the game of Quidditch. That's what Marcus and I have in common. We are both Quidditch mad."

"Does your mother know?" asked Stuart.

"Of course," said Katie with a sunny smile. "You should ask her."

"Yes," said Stuart Bell. "I should talk to your mother."

"We should be going," said Lydia Flint. "I think my family has much to discuss. But I do believe that Marcus needs time to digest what has happened. Marcus, we will owl you later on in the week. Please open your mail."

"I will," said Marcus. He gave his grandmother a gentle smile. She smiled back at him.

"We have a lot to discuss at the manor," said Claudius Flint. "We have had enough of public scenes to last the rest of the century, I think. It is time to adjourn this family get together. Aurelius and Natalya, we will see you at home shortly?"

"Yes," said Aurelius with a look at his pale wife. "We will be there shortly." They watched as Marcus's grandparents apparated with a pop.

"Marcus," said Natalya with a pleading look at her son. "Please don't judge me harshly."

"Mother," said Marcus heavily, "you are not the one I have judged harshly in the past. I can't say that what I have learnt hasn't shocked me but it has taught me a lesson." He turned and looked his father in the eyes. "I should find out all sides of a story before I make judgments. Father, you know that we don't have the best relationship and maybe we never will. But I am sorry for the part I played in making our relationship so awful."

"We have to talk," said Aurelius heavily.

"Later," said Marcus seriously. "You can't treat me like a child anymore."

"I know," said Aurelius. He gave the rest of the party a nod then grasped Natalya's arm and apparated.

"Katie, Marcus," said Ivy Parkinson Bell with a smile. She looked at her husband and he nodded at her. "We know you two need to talk. Now is not the time for us to be here. We'll leave you two alone."

"Katie," said her father gently. "I will be in touch. I think the first thing I have to do is talk to your mother. I want to be part of your life. Your mother and I have some unfinished business."

"Thank-you," said Katie as she gave her father an impulsive hug. "It meant a lot for you to be here, both at the game and here in Hogsmeade."

"Marcus," said Stuart as he held out his hand. Marcus took it as Katie gave Ivy a quick and impulsive hug. "I trust I leave Katie in your safe hands." His eyes searched Marcus's blue ones intently.

"I will keep her safe," said Marcus seriously. They watched a quietly as they apparated with a loud pop.

"Now," said Marcus gruffly as he took Katie into his arms and buried his face in her neck. "It's just you and me."

Katie breathed in his familiar scent and burst into noisy tears.

"What is it?" asked Marcus as he clutched her closer.

"I am just so happy."

A discreet cough separated them a moment later.

"Do you have a private room," asked Marcus as he looked up at hovering waiter. He whisked them into the tastefully private dining room a minute later.

Marcus ordered two of the set menu meals and gathered Katie close on a low velvet couch. He asked the waiter to make sure they were not disturbed even for course changes and ordered a bottle of their best champagne. The waiter delivered the wine and closed the door with a slight smile at the oblivious couple.

Katie looked around the room in dazed confusion. Events had moved so fast. She turned and looked into Marcus's face in wonderment.

"This is just a dream, isn't it?" asked Katie.

"No," said Marcus as he leaned in and kissed Katie's trembling mouth softly and insistently. "Does this feel real?"

"Yes," said Katie as she threw her arms around Marcus's neck. She jumped when a small pop announced the arrival of their first course.

"Katie," said Marcus as he stroked her face. He slanted his mouth over hers in a hot desperate kiss. Katie surrendered to his heated kisses with a blissful look on her face.

"Marcus," whispered Katie a few minutes later. Her lips were swollen red with his kisses. "Are we really not going to be disturbed?"

"Yes," said Marcus. "This restaurant is famous for their discretion."

"I thought I had lost you forever," said Katie as she touched Marcus's face in wonderment.

"As did I," said Marcus gruffly. He ran a hand down her arm gently.

"Make love to me," said Katie softly. She shifted so she lay over the cushions of the low sofa. She started to unbutton her robe slowly.

"Merlin Katie," said Marcus as a slow smile burst over his face. His hands joined hers to help her remove her clothes. When she was nude against the cushions, Marcus just looked at her with a serious expression on his face. He ran his hands down her curves reverently. He looked into her eyes. "You are just so beautiful."

After Marcus had leaned up to remove his robes, Katie ran a hand down his torso with a dreamy smile on her face. "So are you," whispered Katie.

The first time they made love on that couch, it was dreamy and sweet. The second time was fiery and passionate. They lay there together, intertwined on the couch and kissing, incessantly kissing. Hours later, Katie raised her head off of Marcus's chest and sipped at a glass of champagne.

Marcus stroked her amber hair with a satisfied look on his face. He looked down into her dreamy eyes and smiled.

"We have to go soon," said Katie regretfully.

"I know," said Marcus.

They dressed in a comfortable silence and after Marcus settled the bill, they left the Hogsmeade Brasserie hand in hand. They walked through the spring twilight oblivious to everything around them. They had talked constantly in the private room between kisses and heated caresses. Katie had explained why she had tried to let Marcus go. And Marcus had explained why he had made his decision.

"Choices," said Katie. "That is what Dumbledore always says. Life is about choices."

They drifted along wrapped up in each other until they had reached the outskirts of the magical village. Marcus looked at the standing stones in surprise then a smile crossed his rugged face. He pulled Katie up the hill quickly. Katie laughed as they darted up the hill at a breakneck speed.

"Marcus, you madman," chided Katie. "What is your hurry?"

Marcus drew Katie into the middle of the standing stones. Katie shivered as she felt the inherent magic of the place spark through her body. Marcus gasped when the tingle of ancient magic went through him as well. They stood before the stone that sat in the middle of the circle. The stone was so ancient; it had grooves in the stone made by rain over the centuries. Rainwater gathered in the grooves and made the stone glow in the twilight.

"Have you ever heard the legend of the meinhirion, the standing stones," asked Marcus seriously.

"Which one," asked Katie quizzically.

"The legend is that if a man drinks water that has touched the meinhirion, from a woman's hand that they will love one another forever, in this life and in the next," said Marcus with an intent look on his face.

Katie turned and dipped two fingers into the water on the stone and gasped. It felt like her fingers were on fire with magic. Marcus gazed into her eyes unwavering as he dipped his head and licked the water from her fingers. They both gasped as an intense light enveloped them for a timeless moment then faded leaving them trembling with shared intense pleasure.

"I will love you forever Katie," said Marcus gruffly. He gathered her hands against his heart.

"I will love you forever Marcus," said Katie tearfully. She could feel the steady thumping of his heart.

"Will you marry me," asked Marcus as he gazed into her eyes.

"Yes, I will marry you," said Katie. She laughed as Marcus whooped with joy and lifted her into his arms.

When Marcus kissed her the middle of the meinhirion, he could swear he could see the faint outline of white haired, wild eyed druids surrounding them as blue painted men danced around the stones in a frenzy. Katie's eyes were closed but she could hear the faint sounds of drums rhythmically pounding out a frenzied hymn.

Marcus closed his eyes and gave himself up to the sensation of having Katie in his arms again. Katie gave herself up to the passion and love in his kiss.