The Chameleon's Shroud

Keeping Up With The Joneses

Megan was simultaneously relieved and shaken by the events of the first couple days of her Easter holidays and consequently found herself sitting in her bedroom Monday morning, writing furiously in her journal. Most people at the school used theirs to communicate with one another -- something McGonagall had instituted for the school in the beginning of the year. Megan, however, found the greatest solace in committing her thoughts to parchment and she rarely even used her journal for anything other than just what it was meant to be -- a journal.

It had been decided, after a lengthy talk with the Dark Lord about family -- a surreal discussion if there ever were one -- that Megan would go by the name Melia "Mel" Lyons for all of her work for Him, and for her interaction with any of the other Death Eaters. The only ones who would be privy to her true identity unless they already knew her would be Himself, and Rabastan.

A knock at the door startled her from her scribbling, and she called out for whomever it was to enter, glancing up. She'd expected Irene, or one of the elves, but not Felicia. Megan closed her journal with a snap, her jaw tightening. "Good morning, Mother. Is everything alright?" she asked quietly, giving the other woman a guarded look.

"Of course it is, darling," Felicia said, waving an elegant hand in dismissal. She stood at the foot of Megan's bed, regarding her stepdaughter through partially hooded eyes. "I just thought I would stop in to see if you were perhaps interested in going shopping for a new dress. Your father is hosting a dinner party this Thursday night and I know you've probably outgrown your formal wear in the last months since you were home."

Though the words were phrased as a polite invitation, Megan knew the command for what it was -- you are going shopping whether you like it or not. Personally, she didn't feel like she needed anything new; her wardrobe was stuffed with clothing she'd worn just once, and she hadn't grown any more in height in the last five years, nor width wise in the last two. It was laughable that she could possibly need something new, but if Felicia felt she did, who was she to quarrel with a parentally sponsored shopping trip?

She nodded and got to her feet. "Thank you," she said politely. "I believe you are quite right. May I change into something more appropriate and meet you downstairs in five minutes' time?"

Felicia's mouth quirked into a pleased smile; she was glad Megan understood the way of things as well as she did. "That would be lovely. Hestia will be joining us as well, Megan. Isn't that nice?" She waggled her fingers at her stepdaughter from the doorway and shut the door behind her with a soft click, setting off purposefully for her sitting room downstairs.

The moment Felicia left the room, Megan grabbed her teddy, a stuffed toy Hestia had given her for her eighth birthday, and buried her face in it. The fur was rough in places where she clutched it in her sleep, and the night before had been no exception. Right, Mel, she whispered to herself, it's time to change and go shopping.

She appeared in the doorway of her stepmother's sitting room a few minutes later, hair tied back in a bow and wearing a simple shift dress of dark green wool over a long-sleeved white blouse. She had the appearance of being much younger than her eighteen years in the outfit but Felicia loved treating her like a little girl at times; Megan just dressed the part she played.

"Hullo, Hestia," she said with a small grin for her older sister. Of all the Joneses, Hestia was the one she got on with the best. The both of them were of a mind over their mutual dislike of their father. This didn't mean she was Megan's favourite person, just simply that of the devils in the house she had to call home, Hestia was the least repugnant to her.

"Megan," Hestia replied, walking over to her younger sister and giving her a brief hug. "Is it just me or are you thinner than you were the last time I saw you?" She frowned slightly, a tinge of worry in her eyes.

"I'm fine," Megan shook her head. "Just a bad turn of the stomach these last few days; it's nothing a bit of rest and food won't cure, honestly." She should've known her sister would notice! The glamour charm covered the dark smudges beneath her eyes, but as Hestia had just discovered by touching her, it couldn't hide the physical reality of the toll her nightmares were taking on her body.

Hestia was a Healer at St. Mungo's and though her specialty was in spell damage, she was trained to observe the human body differently than the average person. There was more to it than Megan was letting on and she determined to find out what was happening with her younger sister before the day was through. She nodded her understanding to Megan, letting the matter go for the time being.

Felicia grabbed her handbag and joined her daughters, beaming at them both. Nothing made her happier than the prospect of a shopping expedition. "Come along, loves," she said, radiating excitement. "We have Galleons to spend." She swept from the room in a rustle of taffeta, her head held high.

"After you," Megan smiled, gesturing for Hestia to go next. There was a definitive pecking order with the three of them, and she knew it well. For the most part, Megan never even let it bother her, just accepted that this was how things worked in their family.

She walked close behind her sister. "So how are things with you, anyway?" Megan asked. She knew that would have been Hestia's question and she grinned inwardly at beating her to the punch.

"Oh, you know, the usual," Hestia shrugged. "There are always interesting new cases to deal with at work, but nothing to write home about. What is happening with you? Getting ready for N.E.W.T.s, I suppose?"

"Mhmm," Megan murmured, slowing her gait when they reached Felicia at the door. Their mother was pulling on her cloak. She waited for the girls to do the same before she led them outside toward the Apparition point.

Megan tugged her cloak closer around her to ward off the chill that still lingered from the night before, fastening the silver broach that held it closed at the neck. "The professors are naturally working us to death with assignments and revision guides. I honestly can't wait until we're done with these horrid exams."

Hestia laughed lightly and she slowed to walk beside Megan, glancing down at her. "I remember feeling the same way, honestly. And once they're done, the rest of the year will speed up and you'll be pining for the days of those self-same exams simply because it means you still have days left to enjoy at the castle with your housemates."

It was nice to have someone to speak with who had been through the experience as well and Megan gave her a grateful look. "I suppose," she said, her lips quirking in amusement. "I vaguely recall you mentioning something of the sort when you left Hogwarts. So, do you know what sort of party this is, by any chance?"

"The annual Easter Gala for Alembicus," Felicia answered for Hestia. "Unfortunately, it is our misfortune to have to host the damnable thing this year. Come along girls," she added, casting an indulgent look their way. "Our appointment with Madam Malkin is in ten minutes."

*~*~*

The shopping trip had been fun for the most part, but Megan had already been tired when they set out and by the time they arrived back at the house that afternoon, she was ready to collapse into her bed. She trudged wearily up the stairs and let herself into her room, knowing one of the elves would take care of hanging her new lilac dress robes and putting the rest of the purchases away.

Felicia was always easier to deal with when her sister was around and this time had been no exception. Megan simply lingered in the background and left mother and daughter to do what they would, occasionally answering questions directed at her and trying on the garments sent her way. They'd gone to lunch at one of Hestia's favourite restaurants, and then shopped for accessories for their new outfits as well as some last minute party favours Felicia wanted.

But now, Megan needed her bed. She was removing her dress when there was a knock at the door, followed by it cracking open a little bit. Hestia -- she was the only one who ever did that. "Hey," Megan said, pulling the garment over her head and tossing it over a hook on her wardrobe door. "Come on in."

She finished changing her clothes and flopped back onto her bed beside Hestia, pulling her teddy into her arms. "I think you'll look smashing in that burgundy ensemble, you know," she said conversationally. Megan looked up at her with a grin which slowly faded at the expression on her sister's face. "What?"

"What's going on, Megan?" Hestia asked without preamble. "You're thinner than usual, you're heading for a nap at three in the afternoon, and you're sleeping with your teddy. Nightmares?" she asked gently, her eyes serious.

Megan's lips tightened. "Maybe," she hedged, opting for a half-truth and giving Hestia a cautious look. "It's nothing I can't deal with on my own, you know," she added, a proud lift to her chin.

"Mmm, perhaps," Hestia said noncommittally. "It helps to have someone to talk to, though." She made the offer knowing full well Megan would likely reject it, but it didn't stop Hestia from trying.

If Megan was going to confide in anyone, it would be her best friend. Only ... she couldn't tell him that she was dreaming of meetings with the Dark Lord. She doubted Liam would truly understand. A pricking of tears stung her eyes and she looked away a moment too late.

"Megan," Hestia said quietly, putting her hand on her sister's arm and sighing inwardly when the other woman flinched at the touch. She hated that Megan held herself apart from them all, and though she understood why, it didn't ease the hurt any, either. "Well, if you ever need me, I'm here," she said, feeling as if it wasn't enough.

"Yeah, I know," Megan nodded. "Thanks." She glanced back at Hestia and said, "See you Thursday then, I suppose." It was a quietly worded request to be left alone.

Hestia nodded and raised her hand to run it over Megan's hair, then thought better of the action. One corner of her lips quirked upward in a rueful smile and she sighed, getting to her feet. "Thursday, then," she murmured, walking to the door and shutting it behind her.

*~*~*

For once, it wasn't a nightmare that woke Megan, though she would have preferred that it was. Her father's voice penetrated the fog of sleep and she slowly opened her eyes to find Timothy Jones shaking her shoulder lightly. "Meggy," he said in a firm tone, "time to wake up, love."

Meggy. She loathed the nickname her father had given her as a toddler. He only used it on occasion these days, but it cleared her head and woke her as nothing else would. There were long shadows in the room, but the sun was still out. Good, she hadn't slept through dinner then.

"Father," she said quietly, looking at him, her gaze reproachful. She had been home for two days now and this was the first she'd seen of him. "How nice of you to come home for once," she said. There was censure in her voice; as much as she didn't care for Felicia, she liked the way her father treated her even less.

"I was ... busy." Timothy looked away from Megan's sharp look. She had inherited the ability to see through him from her mother and the reminder sent a small jolt of anguish through him. He'd loved Keiko Lyons more than life itself and still felt her loss keenly more than a decade later.

Megan raised her right brow in a doubtful expression and said, "Busy? Who is she this time?" Once an adulterer, always an adulterer, at least in her book. She knew no other barb would sting as badly as that one, particularly since she was the product of one of his affairs. She put up a hand to forestall a reply and sat up, fluffing a pillow and putting it behind her back so she could lean against the headboard, teddy cuddled in her arms.

Timothy's ruddy face flushed and he shook his head, wishing she'd forgive him for the past. He'd done well by her, giving her a life she never would have had in New York. "I was at a company retreat. I couldn't just leave because you came home, Megan."

The fact that he couldn't meet her eyes and that his voice was brittle told Megan she'd scored deep, and true. "Hmmm. Well, good to see you," she said, the insouciance in her voice conveying just how much she cared that she'd hurt him. "Is it time for dinner, then?"

"Almost, yes," Timothy replied. "I had wanted to spend some time with you before then, but I can tell you don't want to talk to me." He sat on the edge of Megan's bed, his tie still impeccably neat.

By his attire, Megan could tell her father had been meeting with Muggles. His mistress was probably a Muggle then, since he had stopped working on that side of Alembicus for a while.

"Isn't it dangerous for you to be aligning yourself with a Muggle with the state of things in the wizarding world right now, Father?" Megan shoved her blanket away from her and abandoned her teddy to walk toward her wardrobe. She'd just wear the same clothes she'd had on for their shopping expedition. "And please, just sit there a moment and let me change."

Well, there was something, at least, if she wanted him to remain. Timothy straightened out her bed while Megan dressed in her bathroom and set the teddy atop her pillow, smiling slightly at it. She rarely kept anything any of them gave her, but it made him feel a bit better that she loved the toy from her sister, at least.

"Yes, well, perhaps I am cultivating a safe place for us if the need to go into hiding so arises." He glanced up at Megan when she emerged from the bathroom, giving her a self-deprecating smile. There was no sense in denying his affair since she'd already called him on it.

She rarely spoke about anything political with her father -- his way of dealing with things was to act the part of the ostrich, so the fact that he was seriously thinking things through told Megan a lot more than Timothy probably realised. "Are we walking a fine line then?" she asked softly, less antagonistically.

"Well, the company is one of the few that deals openly with both Muggle and wizard alike, love." Timothy shrugged and said, "Don't you go worrying about things. We'll all just keep ourselves well out of it and everything will be fine in the end, okay?" He gave his youngest child a small smile meant to reassure.

"If you say so," Megan said quietly as she sat down beside him. She'd do her best by her family, even if she hated them, simply because they were all she had left in the world aside from Liam. "So this dinner thing on Thursday ... am I allowed a guest, Father?"

Looking at them side by side, the only thing it was clear Megan had inherited from her father (outwardly, at least) was her hazel coloured eyes. Her features were a homogenized product of her mother's Japanese background and her father's European ancestry. There were certain gestures that bespoke of her father's blood running through her veins, like the way they were both clasping their hands in their lap, identical down to the right thumb crossing over the left in a perfect X. Megan glanced at him, suppressing how much the answer meant to her, and instead presented a bland, almost indifferent expression.

"Ah, a boyfriend?" Timothy asked, giving her a small, curious look.

"Just Liam," Megan shrugged. "I figure it would be nice to have someone my age to talk to is all." Moreover, someone who would understand just how unhappy she was there, and endeavour to make the occasion much more enjoyable.

Timothy smiled and said, "Liam? Do I know this boy, Megan?"

She gave him a frustrated look. "He's only been here a fair few times, Father. He spent a week with us last summer, for Merlin's sake!" Megan got to her feet and went in search of her shoes. "Come on, I'm sure Mother will be calling us."

"Oh, him," Timothy laughed uneasily. "Sorry about that, love. Too many people to keep track of," he added, knowing it was a lame excuse. "I suppose if your mother says it's alright, then it's fine by me."

"Thank you," Megan said. Whatever soft feeling had settled between them was gone and they both knew it.

Timothy put a hand on Megan's arm and said, "Listen, about my ... uh, friend. Your mother, she really doesn't need the stress of knowing, okay?"

Megan gave him a withering look, waiting until he removed his hand. Her tone was biting. "I won't trouble Mother with your infidelity. She has a living reminder of that in me, after all." She shoved her feet into her shoes and walked out of the room without a backwards glance, unwilling to let him see the way her eyes had filled with frustrated tears. She couldn't remember a more dismal homecoming as far as her father was concerned.

*~*~*

Dear Liam,

Would you care to join me at Father's annual company Easter gala on Thursday? It promises to be a dull affair, but perhaps we could turn it into a fun time. I miss you. He didn't even bother to come home the first two days of break. He has a new mistress, and a Muggle at that. I wonder if Felicia knows -- he asked me not to tell her. Bastard. Hope all is well for you and the family. If you can't come, don't worry about it. I know it's last minute and all, but I didn't find out until this morning and I had to wait for Himself to come home so I could ask for permission. I'm off to dinner now.

Love,

Megan

------

Dear Megan,

Mum says it's okay with her. I'm assuming it's a formal event. What colour are you wearing so I can match? You know I can't resist spending time with you, so I'm glad you asked. Things are the same as usual. I actually miss being at school at the moment. Sounds like you need someone to talk to. Thursday's not that far away. Hang on until then, alright?

Love,

Liam

------

Dear Liam,

I'm wearing lilac robes. I swear, I'm going to look like a little girl -- Felicia picked them out for me. I wanted a set of peach coloured robes but you know how she likes to control what I look like. I can't wait until I can choose my own wardrobe! Anyway, I'll try my best to hold out until we can talk in person. I'm glad we'll get to see one another during break before we go back to school.

Love,

Meg

------

Dear Meg,

You're going to wear out your owl, you know. I don't know why you won't just break down and talk to me through the journal. It'd be a lot faster, for one, and take less of a toll on the bird population, for another. You want to come over tomorrow, or something? We can hang out, try to avoid the twins.... Let me know.

Love,

Liam

------

Dear Liam,

Felicia has plans for me tomorrow, and Wednesday. I guess we'll have to wait until Thursday after all. Thanks, though. I wish we were back at school, too. And I hate using the journals to communicate. Don't count Ferdinand out, though; he's a lot tougher than he looks.

Love,

Meg

*~*~*

After two days of being in Felicia's presence almost constantly, working on party favours, decoration ideas and going through seating charts and the like, Megan's nerves were stretched thin. Hestia couldn't help with the preparations because of work, and now that she was older, Felicia didn't mind giving her stepdaughter more responsibility.

Megan knew the majority of the people being invited to the gala and helping Felicia seat people by class, rank and political leanings was a headache. Her mother's cheerful, "Oh, try doing it for a wedding, dear. So much worse!" made Megan scowl after she'd complained about how tedious it was.

"If that's the case, I'm eloping when I get married. This is just ridiculous."

Plagued by nightmares every night, her new robes were too big for her with the amount of weight she'd lost. Megan had to pay an emergency visit to the dressmaker Thursday afternoon for the garment to be taken in after her stepmother insisted they do a test run of what she would look like for the evening.

She looked much more grown-up than Felicia probably would be happy with. The result she saw in the mirror made her much happier since Madam Malkin adjusted the fit so it hugged her curves. Since Megan was there in her shop, the older witch also did her hair and makeup charms for her while an assistant made the alterations to Megan's robes. She beamed at the proprietress, thanking her profusely, and Apparating home.

Megan hurried across the grounds to join her parents and sister at the front doors where they were greeting their guests.

"You look especially lovely my dear," her father said with obvious approval. She delighted in the disapproving set of Felicia's lips and Hestia's quiet murmur that the robes looked better than she remembered.

Eventually, their father wandered off to mingle, and Felicia joined him, leaving the girls to welcome the stragglers. "So how did you pull it off?" Hestia asked during a lull in arrivals.

"Do what?" Megan asked, raising her brows. "Mother sent me back to Madam Malkin because my robes were too big, and she fixed them and did my hair and makeup for me while I waited." She shrugged, but her eyes danced with a mischievous light.

Hestia laughed and gave Megan a brief squeeze. "Remind me to not eat for a few days before one of these stupid functions then. I would love to have had my robes altered to how I like them, too." She winked and turned to greet a newcomer.

Megan found herself drawn into a discussion about potions with one of her father's colleagues. Their conversation had her speaking animatedly. She absently waved to her sister as Hestia wandered off with her date, forgetting that her own guest had yet to arrive.

Liam Apparated to the Jones estate, a single long stem peach rosebud in his hand, and made his way to the door. There was a stunning woman there greeting people; when he drew closer, a lump formed in his throat when he realised it was Megan. She was so perfect it made his heart ache from wanting her. Not for the first time, Liam wished she would see him as more than just a friend.

"Hullo, beautiful," he grinned, presenting her with the rose -- her favourite flower -- and kissing her cheek. "Do I pass?" Liam asked, turning in a circle so she could take in his dress robes, complete with a dark amethyst tie and cummerbund to compliment what she was wearing.

Merlin, he was so handsome it took her breath away! Megan hadn't counted on having such a physical reaction to her best friend, but she couldn't deny she was going to enjoy walking around on his arm this evening. "You more than pass, love. I'm going to be the envy of every woman here tonight not only because you're so damn handsome, but because I know you and I know we'll have fun, too!" She twirled the stem of her flower and ducked her head to inhale its fragrance. "And a peach rose. You're so thoughtful," Megan whispered, smiling up at him. "Thank you for doing this, Lee."

Liam gave Megan a slow smile, his eyes twinkling merrily. "Anything for you, Meg." He fought to keep a strictly friendly expression on his face, hiding how much he yearned for her. He offered her his arm and stood there beside Megan, looking out at the sea of witches and wizards. "So how much longer are you on door duty?" he teased. "I mean, I'm assuming that's what you're doing, unless of course you actually like greeting strangers."

"Not too much longer, I think," Megan said. "I believe most of the guests have arrived, actually. With the number of place cards and lists I've had to write out these last few days, I feel like this has been my party." She grinned up at Liam and said, "Of course, if it were my party, things would be very different. But you'd still be the first person on the invitation list."

"Why thank you," Liam laughed, grinning at her and patting her hand. "So glad to know I still rate." He squired her around the house, through the ballroom and to the formal dining room. There were just over a hundred people in attendance -- certainly the house could accommodate more than that number -- but it still seemed like a crush to him.

Megan was glad she'd asked Liam to be her date for the evening. He kept her sane and even made the evening an enjoyable affair. "Helga help me, I think I'm going to lose it," she hissed in his ear when one of the men who had obviously had too much to drink stood up and began singing. She hid her face in his shoulder, her own shaking with mirth.

Liam was in no better shape, but he couldn't exactly hide his face in her shoulder. He covered his mouth to keep from laughing aloud, finally giving into the urge once the adults moved into the ballroom. "Oh Merlin," he gasped, wiping streaming eyes. "That was bloody hilarious. For that alone, this entire getting dressed up thing was worth it!"

She couldn't make her escape just yet, so once they'd both composed themselves, Megan dragged Liam into the ballroom. There was the requisite dance with her father, and then she spent the rest of the time on the dance floor with Liam. "Bring back memories?" she asked a while later.

"Yeah," Liam grinned. "Yule ball. Damn near didn't recognise you when you came down the stairs too. You were so beautiful, Meg," he said softly. "Still are, though. You're the prettiest girl in here."

"Of course I am," Megan said primly, her cheeks flushed with pleasure. "So are my parents well occupied yet?"

Liam looked over the sea of dancers and located her parents at different ends of the room, both of them engaged in conversation. "Looks like it. Why?"

"Because we're getting out of here, that's why." She grabbed his hand and dragged him upstairs to her room. "Ugh, these things only look nice -- not fun to wear for hours though." Megan kicked off her strappy sandals and wriggled her toes in the plush carpet. "So how's it going at home, really?" she asked. They'd hung out many a time in her bedroom but he stood there in the doorway with an uneasy look on his face. "Lee?"

"Maybe we shouldn't be up here," he said quietly. Alone, with Megan dressed like she was, it was hard for Liam to remember at the moment that they were just best mates. It wasn't the first time they'd been to a formal event together but a lot changed in three years, including the fact that he wanted her in many more ways than to just be his first kiss.

"Why on earth not?" Megan pouted. "Felicia's busy, Hestia's busy, Father's busy. None of them have paid me the least mind all night, and I doubt they even realise I've escaped the ballroom." The last thing she'd expected was for her best friend to remind her of her familial duty!

"It's not that," Liam sighed, still at the entrance to her room, though he'd shut the door behind him and was leaning back against it, arms crossed over his broad chest. "Well, it's your bedroom, Meg. People might get ideas." Least of all, me, he added silently.

"So? You're my best friend. Who cares what anyone else thinks, Liam? Now come sit down and let's talk." Megan hiked up her skirts and got settled against the headboard before giving him a frustrated look. "You've been here before, Lee. And the number of times I've fallen asleep in your bed ... honestly."

Liam's lips quirked up in a half grin and he joined her, toeing off his shoes and sitting opposite Megan so he could look at her face. "Okay, I'm being a git. Sorry." Inwardly he still felt a sense of unease, but she was right -- as long as he continued to think of things along the friendship vein, it would be fine. "So talk. What's going on?"

"I hate being here," Megan said succinctly. "Not much more to say beside that, right? Felicia's been working me to death, Father's barely been home, always off with his newest slag, and I can't sleep at night." She hadn't meant to tell him that last bit and Megan mentally kicked herself.

"Would that have something to do with why you're so much thinner than you were when I last saw you?" Liam asked quietly, moving so that he was sitting beside her rather than opposite her. He slung an arm about her shoulders and pulled her close.

"Yeah," Megan sighed, knowing it was useless to lie to Liam. She put her head on his shoulder and stared down at her hands. "Just stupid recurring nightmares, but it's bad, Lee. I think I've averaged four hours a night for the last fortnight now."

Liam closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the headboard. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? Or just come up to our room like you used to, Meg?" He put his other arm around her as well so he didn't do something like repeatedly bang his head on the wall for not seeing sooner how much she'd needed him.

"I don't know," she muttered. Megan knew full well trying to give him a plausible reason for waking up in a full body sweat would've been difficult without giving him the truth; it was why she slept behind silencing charms, after all. No one could know about her involvement with the war. "You're busy with the twins and all, anyway. I didn't want to get in the way." She glanced away, wincing at the bitterness in her voice.

"Megan Emiko Jones," Liam said firmly, his tone brooking no refusal. He held her chin firmly and forced her to look at him. Something in his gaze made her own cloud with confusion for a moment before a mask hid it from sight. Liam already knew he'd be analyzing that long into the night once he got home. "I'm never too busy for you," he said quietly, willing her to believe him. "Not even with the twins."

She knew he meant it -- Liam rarely said things he didn't mean when he got that look on his face. Megan whispered, "I'm sorry, Lee," before wrapping her arms around him and pressing her face against his robes, her chest hitching as she fought back the urge to cry.

The only thing she regretted in all of this was that she couldn't tell him the truth of what she was doing. They were in the D.A. together. When the Death Eaters infiltrated Hogwarts at the end of their sixth year and killed Dumbledore, she and Liam had been among the number from Hufflepuff to leave the relative safety of their dungeon to help defend the castle. He very clearly still fought for the light, or at the very least, Dumbledore and Harry Potter's ideals.

"Stay with me for a while, please," she said, her voice muffled by his shoulder. "Even if you'd rather we go back out there and find a corner to mock people from."

Liam shushed her and smoothed a hand over Megan's hair, dying a thousand deaths inside. He couldn't deny her anything she asked of him, even if it killed him inside knowing she didn't reciprocate what he felt for her. "We'll stay right here if that's what you want, love."

Megan nodded and tightened her arms around him, asking about the twins and what sorts of havoc they'd wreaked in the days they'd been home, slowly relaxing against Liam and letting his voice soothe her. He rubbed her back gently and talked, smiling slightly to himself when he realised she'd fallen asleep. Liam didn't relinquish his hold on her for several hours, dozing fitfully and calming Megan when she whimpered in her sleep. The only reason he eventually let her go was because Hestia had come to check on her.

"Ah, you got her to sleep," she smiled. "I'm glad." She knew the pair was the best of friends and that her sister was safe with the handsome young man. "Let me get her changed out of her dress robes, okay?"

"I should be going anyway," Liam sighed. "Mum will be worried." He kissed Megan's temple and carefully laid her on the bed, wincing when he put weight on his leg; it had fallen asleep at some point and the sharp tingles as blood returned to the limb hurt. He was nearly to the door when Megan let out a strangled wail. Liam didn't even stop to think of the consequences; he hurried back to her and climbed onto the bed, gathering her in his arms. "Shh, love, I'm here," he whispered, murmuring quietly to her and rubbing her back until she slumped against him again.

"I wonder," he said carefully, "if I could possibly take her home with me for the rest of the break. She's not sleeping well here." Liam tried hard to keep any accusation from his voice, but surely Hestia knew her sister wasn't happy at home.

"Perhaps. I'll have to speak to our parents, but they're not going to let her go tonight at any rate. Do you think maybe you could stay the night here, though, Liam?" Hestia knew her father would be the one to approach for this particular request, particularly because her mother would likely disapprove. "I could send off an owl or even Apparate to your home for you," she offered.

Liam looked at Megan's features, relaxed again in a deep sleep, but every time he tried to extricate himself from her grasp, her arms tightened around him. "Maybe if you could have my mum come here," he said softly, looking up at Hestia with a resigned expression. "It'd just be easier to explain, I think."

*~*~*

In the end, Liam stayed the night, holding Megan close as she slept. He had been sure he wouldn't be able to sleep himself, but they'd snuggled together so many times over the years, it felt perfectly natural to lay there with her head pillowed on his shoulder and he too had dropped into the realm of dreams after everything had been sorted out.

She'd nearly wept when she woke the following morning to find that she was still in her dress robes, her best friend's arms curled securely around her. For nearly an hour, Megan lay still, Liam's deep breathing the only sound in the room. He was a quiet sleeper and his presence there in her bed was a comfort, and a cause for distress. Surely these feelings she had for him were wrong, but even so, she couldn't make herself move, wanting to savour the feel of his body surrounding hers.

He came to himself and could tell Megan was already awake. "Morning," he said, his voice husky with sleep. Liam rolled onto his back, stretching out cramped muscles and hoping that the very normal morning wood he was experiencing would subside, and quickly, lest he scare her away. "Meg?" Liam said, looking at her, his eyes raking her features. "You alright?" She was giving him the most peculiar expression, making him wonder if he'd been talking in his sleep.

"Fine," Megan nodded. "Why'd you stay?" she blurted out before biting her lip. "I mean, did you get in trouble for it, do you think?" She appreciated it more than she could probably articulate, but all the same, his presence in her bed couldn't have gone over very well with her parents.

"I tried to leave, but you had another nightmare so I stayed," Liam shrugged, trying to trivialise it. "Hestia got Mum to come over and she talked to your father. If you like, you can stay at our house for the rest of hols. They've already talked it over."

Megan's eyes widened. "Really?" she breathed. She reluctantly moved away from Liam when he made to sit up, feeling the loss of his body heat and the comfort of his embrace. She was still trying to process the fact that he'd stayed to help her sleep. "Lee...." Megan opened her mouth to thank him and realised how trite those two words would be considering the magnitude of what he'd done. She mouthed soundlessly, giving him a helpless look.

"You're welcome," Liam smirked, tapping the tip of her nose. "Now are you going to come to Chez Summers for the rest of the break or not?" He got off the bed and headed for the loo. "Because if you are, then let's get a move on. It's already after ten, lazy bones."

The moment he was in the bathroom, Liam splashed his face with water and gave his appearance a critical once over. He needed a shave and a shower, but those could wait until they were home. He conjured a toothbrush and cleaned up as best he could, emerging a minute later to the sound of voices in the room. Mrs. Jones stood in the doorway, her lips white with the way she pressed them together, surveying the situation.

"Your father has informed me that you will be staying with your friend for the rest of the break, Megan dear," she said, her voice frosty. "I had so hoped to spend more time with you, but I suppose that will have to wait until you're home for the summer."

None of them lost the frigid tone in her voice and Felicia closed her eyes, fighting for control. "Could I have a word alone with my daughter, please?" she directed at Liam.

He shot a look at Megan, not liking the expression on her stepmother's face, but she made a shooing gesture. "Just wait in the hall," she said softly, walking him there, fastidiously avoiding Felicia, who was now standing at her bed. "And please, don't leave without me."

Liam nodded, rubbing a hand over his face, and leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. He wasn't surprised in the least to hear her stepmother speaking a silencing charm, but Megan had left the door open a fraction, preventing it from sealing the room completely. Whether purposefully done or not, Liam was now privy to the conversation.

"Please tell me nothing ... untoward ... went on between the two of you," Felicia said quietly, sitting at the foot of Megan's bed and staring intently at her. "You say the boy is just your friend, but I have my concerns, daughter."

Megan's back stiffened with outrage and she stared at her stepmother in shock. "Liam is my best friend. He's been here to stay over before. We've known one another since we were eleven years old, Mother. What are you insinuating?" She barely held back from putting her hands on her hips.

"Darling," Felicia said, "let's not hold anything back here. Are you involved with the boy? Speak up, Megan. I know you are legally of age to make certain choices, but surely you realise that you cannot be bedding just anyone, dear. There are things to be considered."

The expression on her face was so condescending that Megan's hands curled involuntarily into fists behind her back. She dropped a mask over her features and gave Felicia a bland look. "I do not know what you are talking about. My virtue is intact, thank you very much. If there is anything I learned from you, it was to guard that with my life, Mother."

"Good," Felicia nodded. "So there is nothing there between you, then?" She watched Megan like a hawk, seeking out anything that would tell her whether the girl lied.

"No," Megan said explosively. "Why on earth is it so difficult to believe that a male and a female can be friends with nothing else between them? Mother, I swear to you, Liam is only my friend. I do not want a boyfriend. There is too much to consider for school at the moment for me to be distracted like that."

Something in Megan's posture convinced Felicia and she stood up, going to her and pressing a kiss to her temple. "I see. And I heartily approve, darling. Have a nice time at your friend's home, then, and I will see you after the Leaving Feast." She swept from the room, startling Liam who was leaning against the wall in a would-be casual stance, eyes shut as if he'd fallen asleep out there.

Inside her room, Megan grabbed the nearest thing -- her hairbrush -- and flung it across the room, watching with satisfaction as it shattered a vase filled with a dried floral arrangement from Christmas. She spun on her heel when the door opened and Liam entered, his face pale. The fury on her face dropped off and left her looking lost and unbearably heartbroken.

Liam could still hear Megan's voice echoing in his head, "Liam is only my friend." It had hurt to hear such finality in the statement -- after the night before, he'd thought perhaps they might have crossed a boundary of sorts. Certainly, the expression on her face before he'd gone into the loo gave him pause, but no, it had only been his mind playing tricks on him again.

"You need help packing?" he said, stepping closer, hesitating in the event she swung out at him. She'd nailed him once, and it had hurt.

Megan burrowed her way into Liam's arms before he knew what was happening and shook her head, clinging to him. "I hate this place, Lee. I'm never coming back here if I can help it."

"It's okay, Meg," Liam murmured, holding her close and wishing there were a way to make it better for her. "Come on, let's pack your things up -- as much as you possibly can fit in your trunk, and we'll get out of here."

*~*~*