Dimensions

Gideon Prewett had known from the get go that time, among many other things, was against him and Cassandra. It was a fact that he preferred not to think about but then and there, as he watched his wife weeping over his dead body, he had never been more aware of it. It was a highly disconcerting feeling being suspended, seemingly in mid-air, and watching yourself broken and bleeding on the ground when you felt as alive as the next person. He wanted nothing more than to climb down, return to his body somehow and wipe away his wife’s tears and tell her that she worried too much but he was immobile; frozen in time.

“Oh, how unfortunate!” cries a voice from somewhere to his left. His vision spins as he turns to see a wizened old man with a long silver beard. “It seems I’ve made another wrong turning; tell me young fellow, am I correct when I say that it is you lying there?”

The old man points downwards and Gideon finds himself nodding his head. “And the pretty young thing, she is your wife?” he continues and again Gideon nods, making the old man cluck his tongue disapprovingly. “Most unfortunate indeed.”

Gideon surveys him again, taking in the silver of his beard and hair, the travel-worn clothing, and finally opens his mouth to speak. “Who are you?” his voice does not sound like his own, and he feels a flash of apprehension. Was this how death was like? Was he, even now, looking at the collector of his soul?

“A just question.” The old man says, his eyes lighting up with an amused twinkle. “I am but a humble stranger who always has time to listen to a story, if you have enough time to share one.”

“Time?” Gideon repeats bitterly, the memory of two short years weighing on him like a shroud. “There’s never been enough time for us.”

“Indeed?” the old man moves to sit down beside him and gives him an expectant look. “Perhaps you might find it relieving to share it with me.” And oddly enough, he did. The words spilled from his mouth like trickling water and he hardly even notices his surroundings changing from the dark mountainside to a lush green field.

“It just doesn’t seem fair, y’know?” he finishes. The old man nods and looks contemplative for a moment before fixing Gideon with his penetrating eyes.

“Life is never fair, dear boy but if I were to tell you that I could give you exactly that which you have been so cruelly deprived of, what would you say?” Gideon stares at him warily, eyebrows knitting together in a frown.

“I’d ask you who you think you are and what the catch is.” He supplies tentatively.

“But you would take me up on the offer yes?” the old man queries, smiling. “And you need not worry, I do not charge for my services.”

“I suppose so…” he finds himself saying. “Whoa! Hang on a minute, who the heck are you? How am I to know this isn’t some sort of scheme to get me tumbling down to a place I’m not supposed to be?”

The old man smiles and places a hand on his shoulder. “Who won the Quidditch Cup last season?”

Gideon stares at him for half a minute, his mouth hanging open and his eyes nearly bulging out of his head. “Merlin.”

“Good day and good luck, my boy!” the old wizard grins. “You go find that young love of yours and say hello from me.”

**

He feels warmth in his fingers and the chirping of birds fills his ears. Dark eyes open to see a canopy of leaves high above him. He has been asleep, with a book tucked under his arm and a squirrel munching steadily on a few nuts beside him. He sits up, hardly daring to believe this was real and takes the book and hits his thigh with it. The jolt of pain convinces him and he stands up and quickly takes in his surroundings only to find that he has no idea where he is.

“Crap.” He mutters under his breath. A rustling in the bushes to his right catches his attention and he turns just in time to see two ginger-haired boys tumbling out of the foliage.

“Uncle Gid!” cries one as he pushes himself up and hides behind Gideon. “Tell Bill to stop chasing me!”

“Bill?” Gideon croaks looking at the tall boy who looks nothing like the nine year old boy he had left behind. This Bill was mature, handsome and had the makings of a leader. How much time had passed? What was going on here? He turns to the younger boy behind him and tries to place his face.

“Percy?” he asks tentatively. The boys stop their squabbling and look at him for a moment.

“That’s Ron…Uncle Gid, are you drunk again?” Bill asks, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Didn’t Mum say no drinking at four in the afternoon?”

Gideon’s face lights up at the mention of his sister and he follows the boys back to the Burrow where his sister has coffee and cakes on the table. His twin brother Fabian is sitting on a chair, a tall dark haired woman that Gideon recognizes as Mary MacDonald sitting comfortably on his lap. There is a gold band on his twin’s finger and he raises an eyebrow questioningly, a finger subconsciously feeling for his own ring.

“Oh good, you’re here.” Molly greets him with a hug. “We were just about to call you.”

“Molly?” he asks, a frown of confusion forming on his face when he realizes they’re missing someone. “Where’s Cassie?”

He feels all eyes on him and wonders briefly if he’s broken some sort of unspoken rule.

“Gideon, have you been drinking again?” Molly asks, gazing sadly at him.

“Why does everybody keep asking me that?” he asks bemusedly. Fabian stands up and gestures for him to follow him out of the room. Gideon complies silently, still slightly confused by their reactions.

“Alright Gid,” Fabian says authoritatively, walking into an empty room and closing the door behind him. “How much did you drink?”

Gideon frowns at his twin and crosses his arms defensively. “I’m not drunk.” He states clearly. “I want to know where Cassie is.” Fabian runs a hand wearily through his hair and heaves a sigh.

“That makes two of us, brother.” He says quietly. “I haven’t seen her in two years.”

Gideon suddenly feels very dizzy and has to lean on the door for support. “Wh-What?” he croaks. “Two years?”

“What is with you today?” his brother asks, frowning all the more when he sees that Gideon isn’t joking about this. “Merlin, you mean you really don’t know?”

He shakes his head and lowers himself onto the bed. “The hell happened, Fabino?”

Fabian sits down next to him and summons a tray of cakes and tea from the kitchen.

“You might want to have some of Molly’s cake before I say anything.” Gideon ignores this and nods for him to continue. “Right, so…a couple of years ago we, and by that I mean the Order, received word that the Wizarding Mafia was making plans against the lives of those they saw as traitors. The head man himself was behind the whole thing, you know how old Apollo hates traitors, especially since his own daughter is number one on that list.”

Gideon’s throat feels dry as he urges his twin to continue. Merlin had neglected to mention that he would be sent to an alternate world when he gave Gideon that offer. He feels like kicking himself for jumping into things unprepared.

“We don’t know exactly how old man Avery found out about your marriage but he did, and that pissed him off. And you knew Cassie would never willingly leave your side so you did what you had to do. You sent her away…I dunno for sure what you said to her, but it worked. She disappeared the night of your first wedding anniversary and none of us have heard from her since. She’s alive though, that much is for sure.”

His hands are balled into fists and his heart feels like it is breaking. Fabian places a hand comfortingly on his shoulder and hands him a cake. “Avery’s dead though, Gid. Died last week, remember? So she’s safe now, even though I don’t think she’s coming back.”

At any other given time, Gideon would have been jumping for joy to find out that Avery Sr. had died. The man had been nothing but a thorn in his side for most of his life, causing him and his family so much grief, but right now he could really care less. He lies alone in bed that night and can’t help but think of how different the house was when she wasn’t in it with him. His wedding ring is still on his finger and for a time, he just stares at it, a soft smile playing at his lips as he remembers their wedding day.

The house is filled with remnants of her, and he feels like he’s going to go insane. He can smell her in the sheets and the pictures beside the bed wave happily at him, beautiful moments frozen in time.

The grandfather clock she had insisted they put in the living room chimes one and he rolls out of bed, no longer able to take it. He throws some clothes in a bag and puts on some trousers before disappearing with a pop.

**

“Shite, Gideon!” Lionel snaps at him in an irate manner as the tall man sits down on the couch. “It’s five in the morning! The hell are you doing here?”

“I need to find Cassie.” He tells the blond, waving hello to Veronica who is carrying a blonde thing in her arms that makes him do a double-take. Veronica smiles at him and explains that the little girl is named Luna. The child grins up at him, a Lionel grin, and he feels a stabbing pain as he wonders what it would feel like to be a father.

“Oh you do, do you?” Lionel glares at him and folds his arms across his chest. “So, why are you here, exactly?”

“I need your help to find her.” He says, sighing. “I know you know where she is, Lionel. You’re her favorite cousin; she can’t disappear without you knowing.”

“Oh, of course I’m her favorite cousin. Which is why, I’m not telling you where she is.” Gideon’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise and Lionel smirks at him. “She’s happy where she is. Built a life of her own, she has and she doesn’t need you ruining it. Have you any idea how much you hurt her, Gideon? She cried for days, and that’s one tear too many in my opinion. So you just stay away.”

“Lionel, please you don’t understand.” Gideon pleads. “I made a mistake, alright? A horrible, horrible mistake and I want to set things right. I love her Lionel, and I miss her like mad.”

The blond Ravenclaw looks at him for a minute or two before sighing in defeat and massaging his forehead wearily. “Give me a minute to get ready.” He mutters before gathering up his young daughter and walking out of the room.

**

“Where has Cassie been living all this time?” he questions once Veronica and little Luna have given them breakfast.

“ New Jersey , USA.” Luna answers, giggling. “Isn’t that right Daddy?”

“That’s right ducky.” Lionel smiles down on her and kisses her cheek. “We’re going to see your Auntie Cassie again this weekend, aren’t we?”

Gideon watches this exchange with a mixture of envy and warmth. Seeing almost everyone around him with children made him want to start a family of his own. Lionel gives his wife a quick kiss and hugs his daughter goodbye before gesturing for Gideon to take his arm and disappearing with a pop.

**

He looks at the two storey house in front of him and smiles. There are herbs and flowers everywhere and a carefree warmth emanates from inside.

“Let’s go.” Lionel says, walking to the front door and knocking loudly. There is loud laughter coming from inside the house and the sound of pounding feet. Lionel is smiling in amusement and Gideon wonders if this much noise is normal for a woman who lived alone. Finally, the lock clicks and the door is pulled open and Gideon Prewett sees his wife.

For a minute, he just stares at her completely unsure of what to make of all the little things that had changed. She is thinner than she used to be, and he wonders if she’s getting enough food to eat or if she’s been overworking again. It was the tiny details that made him say she was different but none of them made as big an impact as the dark-haired little boy she carried on her back.

“Lionel!” she greets, beaming. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you get my owl? I told you the party isn’t until next Satur—oh.” She blinks in surprise when she sees that he’s there and for a minute he thinks she’s going to send them packing but instead she adjusts the little boy’s position on her back and tells them to come in.

She ushers them into the living room and tells them to have a seat. The little boy is still hanging from her neck and waving at Lionel, a big grin on his face. For a minute Gideon thinks that she’s found a new husband and started a family of her own but feels his heart stop when he sees the child’s grin. It is the same smile he sees everyday in the mirror and he can’t help but stare.

“Have you had breakfast?” Cassie asks politely, her demeanor cold and distant.

“I haven’t! I haven’t!” Lucas exclaims cheerfully, raising a hand up high. He watches as a wide smile occupies Cassie’s face and feels like he has been kicked in the gut. He wishes he could wrap his arms around her and the little boy he is convinced belongs to him.

“Of course you haven’t, Lucas.” Cassie croons, deftly moving him so she is holding him in front of her. “That’s because you were too busy saving me from the monsters weren’t you?”

Lucas nods happily and showers kisses upon his mother’s face. “I’m a good Auror, aren’t I, Mum?” he says, beaming and nearly making Gideon fall out of his seat.

“And what does my brave little man want for breakfast today?” Cassie asks adoringly. She is completely wrapped up in Lucas, momentarily forgetting everything else, and Gideon feels a sudden rush of pride. She ambles out of the room, Lucas still in her arms, in order to make breakfast and he can hear them giggling from the hallway.

“Merlin.” He breathes, once they are gone. Lionel chuckles from beside him and claps a hand on his shoulder.

“Surprised?” Gideon whips around to look at him, mouth hanging open.

“Surprised does not even begin to cover it, Lovegood.” He mutters. “How long have you known? How old is he? Why the hell was I never informed I fathered a son?”

The blond Ravenclaw shrugs and leans back in his seat casually. “Never came up, I suppose. And even if it had, none of us really thought you had the right to know. After all you did throw her out and broke her heart.”

Gideon winces at the coldness in the other man’s voice and runs a hand through his dark hair. “Listen Lionel, I told you I made a mistake. Believe it or not, I never meant to hurt her and I want to fix things because, Merlin, it’s hard waking up in the morning and not seeing her beside me.”

Lionel stares at him, a bewildered look occupying his face for a moment before he excuses himself to find his cousin.

**

Lucas sings joyfully behind her as she pops a tray of muffins into the toaster for reheating. She feels a smile creeping onto her face and walks over to him to plant a kiss on his forehead. He beams up at her, blue eyes sparkling, and raises his arms to be carried. She obliges, waving a wand to send the cupcakes to a plate and levitating it in front of them. Lucas leans over, an arm wrapped around his mother’s neck, and snatches one, juggling it from hand to hand to quell the heat and she cannot help but laugh although her heart is about to break. He had so much of his father in him it almost drives her mad.

“Cassie, we need to talk.” a voice breaks into her thoughts and she looks up to see Lionel standing in the doorway.

“We do, indeed.” She agrees, putting Lucas down on the table to busy himself with the icing on the cupcake. “Why did you bring him here, Lionel?”

“Because I want you to give him a chance.” Cassie looks at him like he is crazy and shakes her head. “Why?”

“He’s different, Cassandra.” Lionel tells her, coming closer and taking her hand in his. “And you know I wouldn’t so much as look at him if I knew he was going to hurt you again, but Cassie he came to my house at five in the morning, looking like shite if you care to know, and telling me that he made a mistake sending you away and wanted to fix things.”

He gives her hand a squeeze and smiles in a way that makes her want to give in but she can’t. At the moment she cannot quite breathe properly and her thought are running a mile a minute as she tries to process the information.

“It’s not that simple, Lionel.” She finally manages to choke out a minute later, cursing herself for letting this get to her. She tugs her hand away from his grasp and turns back to her boy, her beautiful baby boy who inherited everything of Gideon’s except his eyes, and picks him up. He is covered in icing again and he looks sheepishly up at her and apologizes for getting dirty and smiles his father’s smile, the one they both knew she could never resist.

“And no one said it was; don’t insult my intelligence cousin.” Lionel says taking out a handkerchief to wipe down Lucas’ face. She feels compelled to make a smart arse remark and shift back into their accustomed five-year-old bantering but bites it back because she knows now’s not the time. “All I’m saying is, once upon a time Gideon Prewett was the love of your life. You loved him, and he made you happy but somewhere down the line he made a mistake and screwed everything up.”

She looks away because his words are true and they hurt, but he puts a hand on her shoulder and smiles at Lucas, who doesn’t quite understand why his Mommy suddenly looks so sad, and forces her too turn back. “So he’s the only one who can fix it; he’s here Cassie, and he wants to and I want this for you.”

And with that, he just leaves; walks out of the kitchen with the tray of cupcakes. She wishes he’d stayed just a minute longer so she could have had the chance to kick him.

**

She lets him stay over for a week, any longer and she would have to kick him out, he asks her why and she sends him a look that reminds him of the ones he used to get from his mother and he knows that the story is closed. He asks no more on the subject and makes a mental note not to piss Cassie off, especially in the presence of kitchen knives.

“Lucas, can you come here a minute?” she calls to the boy who is in sitting on the floor building a castle out of wooden blocks. Lucas places one last block on top of his pile and pushes himself up to waddle over.

“He’s how old?” Gideon asks as Cassie picks the boy up. She tells him he’s turning two in two months and he can’t help but look surprised. “He’s big for his age, isn’t he?”

Cassie smiles brightly and nods. “Oh, he is.” She says proudly. “Started talking two days before his first birthday and hasn’t stopped since. And then three months later he learned how to walk and you can only imagine how much mischief he’s been getting into. Like father like son, I suppose.”

He doesn’t quite know what to make of that so he gives a tentative smile, and clears his throat. She stands up and sits beside him on the couch and puts Lucas in his arms. He is surprised by how natural it feels to have him there in his arms. The boy looks at him intently, an inquisitive gleam in his bright blue eyes, as he places two tiny hands on Gideon’s cheeks and squeezes before grinning widely.

“Say hi to Daddy, Lucas.” Cassie says softly from beside them. His heart nearly pops out of his chest as Lucas hugs him tight. There is a warmth in his chest as he plants a kiss on his baby boy’s cheek and raises him up high. Cassie is laughing beside him and he impulsively takes her hand in his, utterly relieved when she doesn’t pull away. He laces his fingers with hers, just like he used to, and scoots closer placing Lucas on his lap and just for a moment he feels like everything is finally right with the world.

**

She is avoiding him. It was a fact they were both aware of and a fact that greatly pisses him off. His week is almost up and he stills hasn’t been able to patch things up with her. He had thought that after the moment they had shared with Lucas, things would be better, easier, but he was wrong. Now, she wouldn’t look at him or stay in the same room alone with him and it was driving him mad.

He walks into the kitchen to get a glass of water and she whips by him so fast he’s surprised she still has her feet on the ground. He follows her with his gaze for half a second before finally getting fed up. If he wanted to fix this, he was going to do it the only way he knew how.

She is quicker than she used to be, he notes as he speeds up and grabs her arm. “Let go, Gideon.” She mutters, trying to wrench her arm out of his grip. He shakes his head and pushes her up against the wall, effectively trapping her small frame with his.

“Why?” he snarls, more frustrated than angry. “So you can run away again? I made the mistake of letting you do that once Cassie, I’m not about to do it again.”

They are so close she can feel her breath hitch at his words. Her heart is racing to match his own as he looks into her eyes. “What do you want?” she whispers, looking away from him.

“I want you to look at me, Cassie.” He says, gently cupping a hand to her cheek and turning her face towards him. Her skin is soft and warm so he lets his hand rest there awhile. “And I want you to listen. Two years ago, I said some stuff I didn’t mean; I sent you away and hurt you really bad because I wanted to save you. Your father wanted to kill you, Cassie. And it was the only way I could save you, but I was wrong. I was wrong, okay? I made a mistake and pretty much fucked up both our lives and I’m sorry.”

She was staring intensely at him and he briefly wondered if she was contemplating how best to murder him, before shouldering on. “But see, the thing is I’m madly, hopelessly in love with you and you’re just going to have to live with that.”

He feels her heart thump against his and he throws caution to the winds, pulling her close and kissing her with such passion it would have made Romeo and Juliet jealous.

“Took you long enough, you idiot.” She whispers softly when he lets her breathe and he sees there are tears in her eyes as she grins happily up at him. He opens his mouth to apologize but her lips are on his before he has a chance and as his hands wrap around her waist, lifting her easily off the floor, he’s never been happier.

And from the stairway Lucas watches his parents, giggling and pumping a fist in the air triumphantly. “Uncle Lionel’s going to love this.”

_____________________

Why yes, I am aware it sucked. I write terrible fluff fics. *headdesk*

Annnd, of course there's another one. Can you tell how much I love this ship? lol. And yes, I do indeed have a penchant for drama. Which, if I may say just to save face, is totally not my fault. Gideon dies in canonverse. He does. He and his twin brother Fabian get murdered by five friggin' Death Eaters. (All of which they took down with them, thank heavens.)

It has been the source of many an emo moment for me and my partner Sam, who plays Gideon.

Starcrossed

The stars have been one of Gideon Prewett’s constant companions all through out the course of his relationship with Cassandra Avery. They were his Guardians of good luck, providing their gentle twinkling ambience to his most important life events and giving him the confidence to say what he had to say and do what he had to do. It was underneath the stars that he had first fallen in love with Cassie. She had been staying over for the Christmas Holidays because he couldn’t stand the thought of having her go home to her father and getting hurt again.

It was underneath the stars that he had asked her to become his girlfriend; overcoming his nerves and preparing a surprise picnic for her on the Hogwarts grounds. He had been so afraid that she would turn him down and tell him they were better off as friends, but his fears proved to be unfounded. Her smile could have put the blaze of the setting sun to shame as she sat down on the blanket and thanked him profusely. The stars were the witnesses to that memorable event and he intended for them to witness more.

Three years later he is standing underneath an old oak tree in a forest near Yorkshire as the late afternoon crawls by, a bouquet of Lilies of the Valley in his hand. His heart is racing as he turns around to check and double check everything he had prepared. She would be getting out of work by now and on her way home. The sun is setting in the horizon as he taps his foot rhythmically on the ground and waits.

**

The sun is setting in the horizon as Cassandra Avery finishes her shift at St. Mungo’s and apparates home to her flat. There is a light drizzle outside, of the kind that makes everything look hazy around the edges. She smiles to herself as she stood in front of the open window, watching the people below her going about their business, their outline blending with each other in one huge optical illusion. She was filled with a sense of childlike wonder, drinking in the sights and wanting to ask questions and dance around from the sheer joy of it all at once.

A knock on the door interrupts her moment and she stands up from her seat in front of the window, to answer it. It is Fabian, who walks into the flat as if he owned the place and nicking a muffin from the basket on the table. It is typical Prewett behavior and she is used to it, but she throws another muffin at him just the same, which his astounding reflexes catch easily.

“Did you just get back?” he asks, biting into the cupcake with relish. She gives him a nod and closes the door.

“Where’s Gid?” she asks straightening the cushions on the couch before taking a seat. The man before her gives a non-committal shrug as he finishes his muffins and clears his hands of any crumbs.

“Oh you know, here and there.” He answers finally, earning himself a scowl from the girl opposite him. “By the way, you and I have been sent for.”

She quirks an eyebrow at him questioningly. “By who?”

“By Molly.” He answers easily, as though his heavily pregnant sister being the one calling for them was the most obvious thing in the world. “She said something about a fancy restaurant and cookies. I’m not quite sure, pregnant women aren’t exactly my forte.”

She nods in understanding, and makes her way to her room, emerging an hour and a half later dressed in a cocktail dress and shoes.

“Hey Fabino,” she calls, poking him from his seat in front of the basket of muffins. “You can have the whole thing if you like them so much, but before you attack them would you mind telling me where we’re meeting Molly?”

Fabian beams at her and picks up another muffin. “She sent a portkey.” He answers, pulling a candy bar from his jacket pocket and handing it over to her along with her coat. He checks his watch and stands up. “Alright, grab hold, we have ten seconds.”

She grasps the portkey tightly and watches as he counts off the seconds. She feels the jerking at her navel and has just enough time to see Fabian let go of the candy before she disappears in a swirl of dust and color.

**

She feels the ground materialize underneath her feet and she opens her eyes to see the lush green canopy of the forest. The sun has set completely and floating balls of light hang on the tree branches, illuminating her surroundings. There is a trail of rose petals by her feet which she follows cautiously into the forest. Her heart is pounding so loudly in her chest that she was sure the animals in the trees could hear it. She rounds a corner and steps into a clearing where a gazebo was erected in the center, the floating balls of light dancing around it.

She raises a hand to muffle the gasp of wonder that escapes from her throat at the sight.

“Hello beautiful,” a voice whispers in her ear. She turns to see Gideon smiling down at her, a bouquet of flowers in his hand which he places in her arms. “These are for you.”

She accepts the flowers without question, feeling dazed. Suddenly the abrupt announcement that Fabian had made about his sister wanting to see them, and Gideon’s mysterious absence makes sense to her and the grin that occupies her face is nothing short of brilliant as she is led towards the gazebo where dinner is served.

**

Dinner is over and done with as the stars twinkle brightly overhead, the flickering orbs of light making their lazy way around them; he pushes himself to his feet and mumbles a spell under his breath that causes soft, romantic music to fill their ears. His hands are cold and clammy as makes his way to her, his heartbeat pounding like an erratic drum, and extends a hand before sweeping into a gallant bow.

“Would you care to dance?” her smile is bright enough to light up the night sky so he takes her hand in his and leads her away from the table. His hands snake around her small waist and he pulls her close, feeling her warmth and the fruity scent of her hair filling his nostrils, as they sway in time with the music.

“You never cease to amaze me, Puppy.” she tells him, blue eyes twinkling joyfully. “This night has been wonderful; I feel like a princess in a fairytale and I hate to be such a spoilsport but, what’s the occasion? Why the sudden elaborate dinner?”

He opens his mouth to speak, only to find that his mouth isn’t quite working. Now was the time to tell her, to finally ask the question he has wanted to ask for months. His heart is pounding in his ears as he tries to gather his wits about him.

“Gideon? Puppy, are you alright?” Cassie asks in concern, reaching up and capturing his face in her hands. He must have looked every bit as terrified as he felt, because she takes his hand and squeezes it reassuringly. “Goodness, your pulse is racing! What’s wrong?”

He takes a deep, shaky breath and pulls her close, his forehead leaning against hers as if to draw strength. “I’m fine,” he assures her. “It’s a beautiful night and I’m spending it with you, I’m more than fine. You know this morning when I woke up, I stood in front of the mirror and rehearsed what I was going to say, over and over again. I thought I had it locked down, the delivery, the execution… but now that I’m standing in front of you I can’t seem to remember a word of it.”

“I’m afraid I don’t quite follow, Puppy.” She admits, her brow furrowing in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

One of the orbs floats towards him, bobbing up and down like some spectral being. He grasps it tightly in his hand and goes down on bended knee.

“This is what I’m talking about.” She watches as a crack appears across the middle of the orb, and raises a hand to shield her eyes from the bright light it emits until it eventually dies down. Her breath is coming in slow shallow gasps now, and he worries that maybe she’s having an attack. The orb, which was formerly made of glass, is now a padded cushion where a silver ring with a diamond shaped almost like a star lay twinkling.

“Cassandra Avery, I once said that there was no one I’d rather fall asleep with underneath the stars than you.” He stands up and tilts her face up to look at him. “It’s an endless stretch of sky, Cass and I want you to be with me every night under it. Will you marry me?”

Tears leak from the corners of her eyes and he feels his heart stop. ‘She’s going to turn me down.’ He looks away, heartbroken. She makes a noise that sounds like a cross between a sob and a laugh as she places both hands on his face and turns his face towards her.

“Yes, Gideon Prewett.” She whispers, a smile emerging from underneath a veil of tears. “Yes, yes of course I’ll marry you.”

For a minute or two he just stands there, the shock rendering him immobile as he tries to grasp the fact that she said yes. His face splits into a wide grin that borders on manic as he slips the ring onto her finger, marveling at how it looks perfect there and gathers her into his arms.

An hour later, they apparate back to Gideon’s flat where Fabian has assembled their closest family members to celebrate their engagement. Amidst a slew of hugs and congratulations and various glasses of champagne courtesy of Charles, Gideon makes his way to a window and tilts a glass in thanks to the night sky.

And the stars shine all the brighter, as if to convey the same joy as the young man by the window.

OoO

Six months later, he stands in front of the altar nervously waiting for the church doors to open and reveal his bride. It is his wedding day and they are in a small chapel in Italy where Charles had insisted they be wed, and when Charles Avery insists on something for his sister you don’t say no. He looks around the half-empty church and feels a small pang. He knows that there should be more people here; friends and family and even perhaps some random people from the streets. He wishes that there was no war raging outside so he could shout to the world how wonderful this day was, but there is and the most he can do is anticipate how wonderful this day is going to be in spite of all the darkness.

He feels a hand closing on his shoulder and turns toward his twin brother and best man.

“Fabian.” He says, returning the gesture.

“Congratulations Gid,” he beams and points towards the entryway. “She’s here.”

He turns just in time to see the church doors hitting the wall as Charles enters with his sister on his arm. She looks breathtaking, and he spends the entire duration of the ceremony staring at her, completely oblivious to everything else.

“Do you, Gideon Tristan Prewett accept Cassandra Vivienne Avery to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do you part?” the priest asks in his low rumbling voice.

“I do.” He answers, not even bothering to turn towards the clergyman. He smiles and mouths ‘I love you’, as the vows are repeated and wishes things would pick up so they could go. He is forced to let go of her hands, which he has been holding for hours now, to pick up the ring from a very excited Charlie and slips it onto Cassie’s finger.

Cassie bends down and plants a kiss on Charlie’s cheek before slipping his ring onto his finger. She gives his hand a squeeze and grins at him.

“By the power vested in me,” the old Priest rumbles, and Gideon and Cassandra both turn to look at him in anticipation. “I now pronounce you man and wife; you may kiss the bride.”

Not one to be told twice, especially since he has been wanting to do so for the past few hours, he picks her up by the waist and kisses her with as much passion as he could muster in a House of God. “I love you.” She whispers against his lips, when they pull apart.

“I love you too.”

**

They are all gathered in one of the smaller Avery Villas, where Charles has generously provided accommodations for all the wedding guests. There is food all around and drinks for the adults but Gideon wants no part of it. He loves his family to death but right now, all he wants to do is be with his wife. So he tugs gently on her hand, the same hand which he has refused to let go of, and leads her away from the crowd.

“Come on Mrs. Prewett,” he whispers bowing out of the ballroom and into the garden. She follows him in a rustle of skirts and silk as they make their way into the garden.

“Where are we going?” she asks, smiling down on her hand which he has yet to let go of.

He opens the door of the guesthouse with his wand and picks her up. “Here, where it’s just you and me. ” He answers carrying her across the threshold, marveling at how she fit so easily in his arms. He finally puts her down on top of the stairs and attacks her mouth with his own.

“Hi.” He breathes, finally releasing her. She laughs and leans her forehead against his, her arms wrapping around his neck.

“Hello, my darling husband.” She whispers, making his insides flutter with happiness.

“You’re my wife now.” He says happily, sounding as if he could hardly dare to believe it. “Cassie Avery is now Cassie Prewett, and she’s my wife. Mine, mine, mine.”

“That sounds about right.” She quips, grinning roguishly. He moves to kiss her again, his fingers trying to undo the intricate lacing of her dress.

“How the hell did you get into this thing, Cassie?” he growls, as the dress refuses to come off. She laughs and pushes him away just enough to open the door of their bedroom.

“I think that’s for you to find out, isn’t it Puppy?” she asks, throwing her veil to the floor and winking seductively at him.

“Oh trust me angel, I will.” He whispers as he comes up behind her and kisses her neck. He spends a total of five minutes trying to untie the strings without success before he finally gets fed up and uses a charm to get it off.

“Took you long enough.” She tells him, laughing as she pushes his shirt off and shoves him onto the bed and lies down next to him. A thoughtful look occupies her face as she stares at the ceiling and he laces his fingers with hers and squeezes it gently to get her attention. She turns and smiles at him, a sweet loving smile that makes him giddy and he kisses her, passion building inside them both as he silently casts a spell to close the door.

The lights dim and the curtains close, as clothes are sent flying across the room and the only sound to be heard is their mingled breathing.

Hours later, a warm breeze blows in from the garden and caresses their skin. She is asleep in his arms, her face nuzzled against his chest. He pushes the hair out of her face and kisses her forehead, before turning on his side and pulling her closer, not being able to stand being away from her even in sleep. The curtains fly and the stars twinkle in the silence, watching the world sleep and smiling proudly at the young man and his new wife.

**

The Villa is fifteen minutes outside of Florence so they spend the next day sight-seeing. She is bedazzled by the wonders of human history and persuades him to walk around the old city, hand in hand just looking at the remnants of a time long gone by. She has amazing powers of persuasion, he concludes after she manages to convince an old Muggle to let her into an old studio that belonged to a famous painter.

“How did you do that?” he asks her once they are inside. The place is cool and smells of resin and dust. There are unfinished paintings standing on easels across the room and various parchment and vellum files are stacked together on a table. With the sunlight streaming through a dusty window, it looks every bit an artist’s studio as it could. She is in her element, the dusty files drawing her towards them like a magnet.

“Would you look at this, Gid?” she breathes, handling the files gently. The crisp brown paper is tattered and worn, every touch pushing it nearer to damage. It is an unfinished nude sketch of a woman. Cassie shows it to him, waiting for his opinion. He tells her he has none, but secretly laughs at the fact that the woman has no feet. She continues her search and comes across a small painting of a Countess. The woman in the picture has the same eyes as his wife and the same nose but he pushes it away in distaste and wraps his arms around her.

“I don’t like it.” He tells her; she smiles and reaches up to caress his cheek.

“Why not? I happen to think she’s very beautiful.” He shakes his head in contradiction and nips at her neck.

“You’re far more beautiful than that dead lady.” His hand is wandering up her shirt as he kisses her neck, eliciting a gasp from her.

“Restrain yourself Gideon,” she mutters with a giggle. “You’re acting like you’ve been deprived.”

“I have been deprived.” He answers sullenly. “Since this morning.”

Half her buttons are undone as she pulls away and tries to glare at him. “Not here, you great big brute, show some respect!”

He grins impishly at her and allows his eyes to rove up and down her body. “Y’know, if you had wanted me to do that, you shouldn’t have worn those shorts.”

Her laughter echoes inside the studio as he sweeps her into his arms. Hours later, they emerge from the studio, hair mussed and clothes wrinkled. She tells him she’s hungry and they stop to get a bit to eat; all the while he can’t stop thinking how much he loved Leonardo Da Vinci’s bed.

OoO

“I need more female friends.” She says miserably to the two men in front of her. “I need more female friends who won’t murder me at one point or another.”

“You could owl Narcissa,” Lionel suggests, taking a sip from his gurdyroot tea. They are in Charles’ house, and she looks haggard and worried.

“And what, tell her to ask Lucius if I’m fit to associate with?” she snaps, tugging her hair out of habit. “No thanks.”

“You need to stop being so dramatic and tell us what the problem is.” Charles tells her in a bored fashion. She feels like throwing the teacup at his face but resists the urge to do so. She didn’t have a spare brother and it would be a shame to lose him.

“In your owl, you said you had news.” Her brother continues calmly, his expression is the exact opposite of what she feels inside and seeing him like that makes her want to throw a tantrum. Her stomach feels like it’s in a million knots as she takes a deep breath and forces herself to speak.

“I-I just,” she swallows hard. “I’m—I’m pregnant. I’ve been pregnant for four months today.” She whispers, a look of pure terror on her face and the two men wonder how many hours she has been putting in at St. Mungo’s this week.

“And that’s bad?” Lionel asks bemusedly. “I imagine Gideon’s over the roof about this.”

Her eyes go wide and she shakes her head vehemently. “No, no he’s not.”

“Why the hell wouldn’t he be?” Charles demands, a frown forming on his face. She gives him a look and the frown turns into a thunderstruck expression. “You haven’t told him?”

“I’m afraid to.” She answers her voice barely a whisper.

“Excuse me, what?” Lionel demands. “What do you mean you’re afraid? Cassandra, has he been doing anything he shouldn’t be doing?”

“No, no of course not!” she assures them, shaking her head in defense of her husband. “It’s Gideon we’re talking about, he’s not like that. I just—it’s this whole thing, alright? I—I’m glad we’re having a baby, but now isn’t necessarily the best time. I’m afraid of the war, of my job but most of all I’m afraid that he might not want this. And I—I wouldn’t blame him! I wouldn’t want my baby growing up in a world like this either.”

“Cassie, he’s your husband.” Lionel, points out. “He’s going to love that baby, war or not so you go home right this instant and tell him about this wonderful news.”

She opens her mouth to protest but her brother cuts her off. “Go home, cupcake. Tell him the wonderful news, and if he doesn’t appreciate it owl me and I’ll punch his lights out. Now go!”

**

It is three weeks before she finally gets the courage to tell him. She takes the day off from work and prepares all his favorite meals and makes sure the house is perfect before he arrives from his shift. Her heart is hammering in her chest and she feels like she’s going to faint as the minutes tick by into forever.

She hears the lock click and turns around to see the door swing open and her husband saunter in. “Cass?” he calls. “Cassie, you here?”

He walks into the dining room and kisses her softly and turns to the table, smiling. “What’s all this for?”

“No questions.” She says, pushing him into a seat. “Not until after the desert.”

“I’ve got my desert right here.” He says and his lips curl up into a mischievous grin and he pulls her into his lap and kisses her. She feels her anxiety slipping away as her fingers find themselves tangled in his hair and his arms wrap around her waist. His kisses make her giddy and breathless and she feels stupid for ever thinking that he might not want her child, and pulls away. “Stop,” she whispers, but he is persistent and before long his lips are on hers again and the second time she pulls away she can’t help but laugh. “Gid, stop it! Listen to me for a minute won’t you?”

“Alright, alright sorry.” He says, stealing another kiss and smiling sheepishly. “What is it?”

“I have something important to tell you,” she begins, the nerves slowly crawling back into her stomach. “But you have to promise me that you won’t freak out and do something drastic alright?”

He holds her at arm’s length and frowns. “What is it Cassie, what’s wrong?”

She takes a deep breath and prepares to take the plunge, wishing that he hadn’t used those words because now she feels like the baby in her tummy is a problem. She opens her mouth but no words come out so she closes her eyes and takes his hands instead and places them on her abdomen.

He looks from her stomach to her face and back again, wide-eyed. “You’re…?” she nods and smiles tentatively. He sweeps her into his arms, his laughter filling the room as he swings her around. “I’m going to be a Daddy!” he cries jubilantly and her heart swells with joy. “Wait till Fabino hears about this! And Molly, Molly will be thrilled! She can help you with the baby, and I’m sure she still has those maternity dresses for when your stomach starts getting big, how far along are you?”

“Four months.” She answers, giving him an apologetic smile. “I was so afraid to tell you…I—I thought you wouldn’t want it, because of the war and—and…” he cuts her off by capturing her lips in his and kissing her passionately.

“I’ll want children with you regardless of the war, you dork. How could you even think I didn’t want this?” he asks, nuzzling her nose. She’s grinning so much, her face hurts but she can’t bring herself to stop. She throws her arms around him and tells him how much she loves him, as the stars twinkle brightly outside.

**

Over the next two months she is surprised to find out that although she can feel her baby growing; her tummy refuses to swell to the appropriate size of an over-inflated beach ball. Molly tells her that she is lucky, because she doesn’t have to buy maternity dresses and assures her that she has nothing to worry about, because all it comes down to is she inherited her mother’s genes. Now, well into her sixth month of pregnancy, her stomach is only slightly inflated and about as round as a plate. She and her husband are baffled, wondering how their baby could possibly fit in such a small space but the Healers at St. Mungo’s assure them that the baby is perfectly healthy.

“Cassie, I’m home.” He calls from the hallway carrying a bag of apples and chocolates for her. He finds her in front of the fireplace, her hands on her stomach. He rushes over to her, afraid that she might be in pain. “Cassie? Cassie, are you alright? Does it hurt?”

She looks up at him and beams. “Quick, quick give me your hand.” She urges an excited smile on her face. She takes his hand and places it on her stomach. “Wait for it…” he looks at her, wondering if she has gone insane when he feels it; a very distinct jerk. “Did you feel it?” she asks excitedly.

“The baby’s kicking!” he breathes, nearly jumping in surprise when he feels it again. “There it was again!”

“Oh, that was a big one,” she says grinning hugely. “You know your Daddy’s here don’t you, honey? Talk, Gideon; let the baby feel your presence.”

He sits down next to her and lowers his head, whispering to his child until the stars are twinkling in the sky and a knock sounds on the door and reveals his brother and his nephew coming by for a visit.

OoO

A snowy white owl raps its beak on the window of Charles Avery’s house, a letter tied to its leg. A tall middle-aged man with the same bright blue eyes as his daughter opens the window and takes the letter.

“That’s not for you.” Charles growls from his seat on the couch. Avery Sr. grins fiendishly at him and casually sits down in the seat across his frozen son.

“Is that so, my boy?” he asks softly, the firelight flickering in his eyes. He tears open the seal and shakes the letter out with a flourish, thoroughly enjoying the look of terror on his son’s face. A few minutes later, he crumples up the letter and throws it into the fire. “She is with child?” he thunders, pressing his wand tip to Charles’ neck. “How long has she been living with the Prewett boy?”

Charles grins and spits in his father’s face. “None of your fucking business, you bastard.”

“You dare defy me?” he bellows, his face twisting into an ugly mask of fury. “Crucio!”

**

It is late when Cassie receives her brother’s return owl. She is craving for apples and bites into one, before going back to bed where her husband is reading a book.

“Charles wants to know if you, me and Fabian can go have dinner with him tomorrow.” She tells him, biting into the apple. He nods in ascent, not looking up from the book in his hands. She peers at it in the darkness and can’t help but smile.

“What are you smiling about?” he asks her suddenly.

“‘The road to Fatherhood’, huh?” she asks, amused. He quickly puts the book away and shakes his head.

“I—uh, I got that from Arthur,” he says quickly, his cheeks turning red. “Said I might find it interesting.”

She laughs at his excuses and kisses him softly. “Just so it’s clear, I know you’ll make a wonderful Dad.” She tells him before closing her eyes and going to sleep.

OoO

It is an ambush; they realize when they arrive there and see Charles’ bruised and bleeding body in the corner. Someone casts a spell as soon as they arrive that prevents them from apparating away. They are trapped and outnumbered. Beside her, Gideon swears and pushes her behind him. The tall man with graying hair steps towards them, a malicious smile on his face.

“How good of you to join us,” Apollo Avery says, twirling his wand around lazily. He is surrounded by four others, one of them being Mulciber who waves cheerfully at them.

“Daddy,” she says shakily, looking from her brother to her father and back again. “Daddy what did you do to Charles?”

“You’re looking quite plump at the moment, my darling. Is there something I should know about you?” he asks, blue eyes flashing furiously. Cassie’s face hardens as she draws her wand and points it at her father who laughs heartily. “Are you going to hurt me, Cassandra? Don’t worry; I’ll deal with you later. I do not take kindly to my family whoring themselves out to blood traitors.”

“You touch my wife and I will fucking kill you, Avery.” Gideon snarls, stepping in front of her.

“Your wife is she?” he hisses, his eyes narrowing into slits and a smile made of pure evil occupying his face. “All the more reason to ensure she doesn’t get out of here alive, Prewett.”

A jet of light erupts from his wand and Gideon pushes his wife out of the way, sending a hex at his foe. “Cassie, you have to stay here.” He whispers, pushing her out of harm’s way behind a cluster of trees.

“No!” she protests angrily. “Gideon you’re outnumbered, you need me there.”

“You are staying right here, Cassandra.” He growls, his grip on his shoulder tightening. “You’re staying here where it’s safe, you understand? Cassie, please I can’t handle it if you get hurt.” She looks him in the eye, her jaw clenched determinedly.

“Then you know how I feel.” She retorts as she pushes past him and shoots a hex at the nearest Death Eater. “I’m not letting you do this alone.” And with that, she whirls around and starts dueling.

**

Two Death Eaters are down for the count as the battle rages on and both brothers are wounded and tired. Gideon’s arm is bleeding as he stands with his brother, waiting for the next onslaught of spells.

“Fab?” he mutters.

“Yeah, Gid?”

“I’m sorry.” He says, and he means it. “You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.”

“Don’t be an idiot, Gid.” Fabian snaps, looking as though he would have punched him if the situation had allowed it. “You think I’d let you have all the fun? Besides, you should stop talking like that or your wife is going to hit you.”

He turns his head to see his wife who is attempting to revive her brother in the corner and feels a jolt of fear. He needed to get her out of here, before she and the baby got hurt.

“Relashio!” he hears from somewhere to his left and ducks instinctively. The spells misses him by a fraction of an inch and he turns to Avery Sr. and shoots a stinging hex at him.

“I have to hand it to you boy, you’re much harder to finish off than your parents.” The older man shouts over the din of battle. “This is proving to be a very enjoyable evening, especially since I have the death of your wife and child to look forward to.”

“Furnunculus!” Gideon bellows, watching his opponent scratch at his now boil-covered face. “If anyone is dying tonight it will be you, you sick fuck. You are not touching her ever again.” He stands over him, wand poised for attack and more than ready to cast the Killing Curse and end the life of the man who had taken so much from him but instead, he kicks Avery in the gut and breaks his nose. “I will make sure you rot in prison for everything you’ve done to me and my family.”

He turns away from the bleeding man and barely has enough time to register Mulciber’s shout of, “Crudus Penitus!” and his wife’s scream as she falls to the floor. His blood runs cold as he catches her in his arms.

“NO!” he screams. “No, no, no, no, no, no!! This isn’t happening…Cassie, Cassie answer me!”

Her body is shaking, and she’s coughing up blood. “I-I’m sorry Puppy.” She whispers. Her breathing is ragged and her body’s going cold and he wraps his arms around her to keep her warm. “H-he was going to hit you with the curse…c-couldn’t let it ha-happen.”

“Cassie you promised me you wouldn’t do this,” she is growing colder by the minute and he is terrified, terrified of the thought of loosing her.

“Pr-promised I wouldn’t think of doing anything like this,” she corrects with a cough that stains her pale lips red. “I wa-wasn’t thinking. So cold, Gid…I’m so cold.”

He is crying now, as he pulls her closer. “Cassie, don’t do this to me. ” he whimpers. “You can’t, you have to stay strong.” he holds her hand and squeezes it, trying to return its warmth. “You have to tell me how to heal you, okay? You have to tell me what to do because I’m not letting you leave me Cassie. I’m not!!”

She smiles bitterly and shakes her head. Tears are running down her cheeks as she reaches up to touch his face. “I’m bleeding internally, Puppy. There’s no way to stop it.”

“No, please don’t say that.” He whispers shaking his head stubbornly. “You’re going to be alright, there has to be something that can stop this. Dammit, Cassie you can’t leave me! You can’t!”

“I’m sorry Gideon.” Her voice is weak and oozing with regret and her eyes are growing dim as she pulls him close for one last kiss. “I love you so much.” Her body goes limp in his arms and his anguished cries echo through the night. He cradles her body back and forth, whispering her name over and over again half-expecting her to come back. She couldn’t be gone; she was young, she was having his baby, they were going to start a family and live happily. It was too soon for her to be taken from him, it was too cruel a punishment, too great a price to pay for the short time they had spent together.

“Even in death, she disappoints me. ” Avery mutters, grabbing Mulciber’s hand to pull himself upright. “Sacrificing herself for a Blood traitor…my daughter the idiot.”

He lays her body gently on the ground and stands up. Anger courses through his veins as he tells his brother to leave Avery to him and raises his wand. With a flash of light, the battle begins anew and this time the tables have turned.

**

He has lost everything, he thinks as he crawls over to his wife’s body. His wife and his brother are both gone like wisps of smoke in the twilight. His blood is leaving his body through a large gash on his side but he makes no move to fix it. His wand is lying broken somewhere and his energy is spent. His vision is fading in and out of focus as he reaches her and wraps an arm around her. Her eyes are closed and for a moment, he thinks that she’s sleeping, but her cold flesh reminds him of the harsh reality and he cries.

“Gideon!” a voice cries suddenly. His brother-in-law’s face swims into focus, above him. The older man opens his mouth to explain how his father had gotten hold of the letter but stops short, his expression of worry turning into heartbreak when he sees his sister’s cold, lifeless body.

“Charlie-boy.” He coughs. “She and Fab are gone. She’d have wanted you to know how much she loved you. Always said you were the best brother ever. S’probably not the best time to say, but thanks mate. Thanks for your approval and your support.”

“Prewett you’re dying shut the hell up!” Charles snaps, trying to find a wand so he could fix the wound in his side. He finds his sister’s wand and turns Gideon on his side but Gideon stops him.

“No, don’t take her from me. ” He shouts, pushing his hand away. “S’over Charles, there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Me and Fabian are going to see our family again, and best of all I get to be with Cassie so I’m not scared.”

“You tell her I love her, alright?” Charles whispers resignedly. He takes a step back and watches as the last of the Prewetts takes his last breath and looks up to the sky, tears streaming down his face as the star between the constellations of Aquarius and Scorpio flicker out.

Again with the Livejournal references. lol. A lot of my recent fics have been inspired by Livejournal lately, wow. So anyway, at one point during my stuckinthe70s addiction (the very highest point) my internet died. For, like, a couple of weeks and I completely spazzed. You take away a teenage girl's obsession and she flails about like mad. So...this would be the result of my mad flailing.

Ghosts

In the Wizarding world a witch or wizard, upon dying, may choose to leave an imprint of themselves on earth. These imprints are the pearly white apparitions that we call ghosts. If you had asked Cassandra Avery what she thought of ghosts two years ago, she would have told you that she harbored a disapproval of those who chose to stay behind instead of facing death head on. She respected those that inhabited Hogwarts of course, since they were the extent of her experience with the spectral world, but deep down a part of her had always thought they were cowards. However, time has a pesky habit of changing one’s perspectives on things and the loss of a loved one tended to put a dent on one’s principles about death and the afterlife.

It had been a month since the Prewett twins died in battle, a month since Cassie lost one of the most important people in her life, a month since all her thoughts and feelings about ghosts were altered forever.

“Cassie!” came an impatient voice, snapping her out of her reverie.

“I’m sorry, were you saying something Sally?” she asked looking up at her blonde co-worker. The woman’s dark eyes clouded over in concern and she laid a hand on the younger girl’s shoulder.

“Cassie, darling, how many hours have you put in this week?” she asked, before adding. “And please don’t lie, I’m a superior.”

A sigh made its way out of the younger girl’s throat as she pushed her long dark hair out of her eyes. “A hundred hours.”

Sally tutted in disapproval. “And how long have you been doing this?”

“Three weeks.” Cassie answered dully. Sally shook her head in exasperation.

“Cassie, I admire your dedication; truly I do. No one else has your talent and work ethic but seriously, you need to take it easy. You’re of no use to any of us in the same bed as one of the patients. Three hundred hours a month is a bit too much.”

“I’m fine, Sally.” She protested. “Really.”

“No, you’re not.” Sally said firmly. “You haven’t been fine in quite a while, to be honest. You’re going to finish your shift in an hour and take the weekend and all of Monday off. You are not to set foot in this building for work purposes, do you hear?”

Cassie opened her mouth to protest but the determined gleam in the older woman’s eyes told her it would be easier to just give in. And the look was so similar to the one Gideon used to give her that all desire to protest had been ruined. Sally bid her a good day and walked off to attend to a patient, leaving Cassie alone in the cafeteria trying her hardest not to cry into a cup of cold coffee.

OoO

When she graduated from Hogwarts, Cassie had traveled to London and with Gideon’s help, bought the large flat next to theirs. Her brother, who had visited her everyday for three months after she had first bought it, had told her that it was a perpetual waste of money since she was hardly ever in the flat at all and instead spent most of her free time in the flat next door with the Prewetts.

But things were different now that they were dead, and as much as she wanted to abandon reason and hold onto a blind irrational hope that they would come back, she knew it wasn’t going to happen.

She finished her shift and apparated back to her flat with a pop. Her mind felt extraordinarily numb as the metallic tinkling of the keys in her key ring signaled the opening of the door. It was one of the larger flats, with exquisite furnishings; the best money could buy. She felt as she always did when she came home however; like she could barely recognize the place, let alone call it home. Maybe it was because the furniture made it look so much like the manor in the dim light of the evenings, maybe it was because her heart was still in the one next door, she didn’t quite know for sure.

She flicked on the lights and closed the door. “Ripper?” she called, walking into her room and taking off her uniform. “I’m home, boy.” The large wolfhound walked into the room five minutes later carrying something in its mouth as it bounded onto her bed.

“Hungry?” she asked, nuzzling the dog’s neck before noticing the piece of cloth in its mouth. “Ripper, have you been going through my laundry again? Honestly, you know better than that!”

Sighing wearily, she picked up the slobbery piece of clothing and cast a cleaning charm on it. She loved the dog to bits but when he got the unnecessary kick to ramble through her dirty clothes, he was more than a bit of a handful. It was a shirt this time, an old one which was far too big to ever fit her. Her heart gave a lurch as she realized who it belonged to.

“Gideon…” she whispered. The shirt was his. He had lent it to her the day after she moved in. Her clothes and furniture had been delayed and she had needed something to wear and somehow, she had never gotten around to giving it back. Beside her, Ripper whimpered, disturbing her thoughts and alerting her to the fact that she was fisting the shirt as if her life depended on it.

“I miss him, boy.” She whispered, setting the shirt aside and burying her face in Ripper’s dark fur. “I miss him so much it hurts.” Ripper licked her face reassuringly before taking the shirt between his teeth again and running out of the room.

“Ripper?” she stood up and frowned in confusion. “Ripper, where are you going?” The dog walked over to the door and dropped the shirt on the floor, barking for her to follow. Thoroughly confused, she picked the shirt from the floor as the dog barked joyfully and pushed her towards the door.

“I’m going insane.” She muttered to herself once she had gotten away from her obviously equally crazed canine and out into the hallway. “Ripper and I are both losing it.”

She looked bemusedly at the shirt in her hands and the empty hallway and took a deep breath. “Might as well put you back.”

When the twins had died, she had convinced Molly to let her keep their flat. It was her way of keeping them alive, keeping a reminder of their presence there. She fished in her pockets for the key and unlocked the door. The place still smelled faintly of baking cookies, and she had to take a moment to hold back her tears as a barrage of happy memories invaded her mind. The kitchen was as neat as ever, each item exactly where Fabian had left it. The dust was starting to settle on the countertop and she made a mental note to wipe the surfaces down before she left, Fabian hated it when his workplace got dirty.

Her feet took on a mind of their own and before she knew it she was back in Gideon’s room. The poster of the Chudley Cannons stuck to the door waved merrily at her, one of the beaters blowing her a friendly kiss. Her hand paused in midair, inches above the doorknob.

“I can do this.” She whispered to herself. “I can do this.”

Her heart felt like it was breaking a hundred times over as she opened the door and walked in. The intoxicating smell of Gideon’s cologne hit her nose and she felt her knees go weak as she grabbed hold of the bed to keep her from falling. Whatever resolve she might have had to refrain from crying was now shot to hell as the tears welled up in her eyes and trickled down her cheeks.

He was her best friend. They were a team; partners in crime. He was as much a part of her as she was of him and now he was gone. Everywhere she turned a memory jumped out at her. He had kissed her in that doorway and embraced her in that corner. He had come out of that bathroom in only a towel and dripped on that rug and they had fallen asleep together on the bed, looking at the stars on his ceiling. She held the shirt to her face and cried, no longer able to hold it in, or even slightly inclined to do so.

“I’m the most selfish person on the face of the planet.” She told the room, after having a good cry. “You and Fabian were fiery spirits; two of the bravest men I’ll ever meet. Heroes. That was why you joined the Order right? To fight for the innocent; protect them from Voldemort and his filthy crew. I worried all the time you know, it’s perfectly normal. Who knows what could happen out there? And y-you were always a bit reckless, which made me so thankful I became a healer. I should feel silly for doing this, talking to an empty room and everything, but I can’t take it anymore. I-it’s hard not having you here. I’ve no one to talk to, for one thing. And no one can keep up with my sarcasm like you can. I hope you know that I’ve always been behind you a hundred percent. Y-you’ve always had my full support. I know I’ve always been a bit hard on you when you get injured but I appreciate what you do. You’ve saved a lot of people; good people who deserve to live long lives.” She felt her throat tighten as she continued. “I just—that night when you and Fabian left to—to go on that mission, sometimes I just wonder if you would have stayed if I had asked you to.”

“You know I wouldn’t.” a familiar voice answered from nowhere. Completely caught by surprise, Cassie gasped and jerked off the bed nearly falling over herself in the process.

“Who’s there?” she snarled, raising her wand. “Who are you and how did you get in here?”

“Cassie.” The voice was dangerously close to her ear. She whipped around and reached forward to grab a part of the intruder but her fist closed on nothing but cold, freezing air. She felt the color drain from her face as she took a step back.

“No.” she heard herself mutter. “No way. No way.”

A head materialized in front of her, pearly white and grinning sheepishly, followed by the tall muscular frame she could recognize anywhere.

“Buggeration.” Was all she could muster to say as she fell backwards and landed on her rear.

“And there’s that word again.” The apparition countered, true to form. “Honestly Cassie, I can’t believe you’re still using that word, and get up will you? I’d help you up, like the gallant gentleman I am, but I’m not exactly corporeal at the moment.”

Cassie got up from the floor slowly, a look of pure shock and disbelief on her face.

“You’re not going to faint, are you darling?” Gideon, no not Gideon, not really, asked. “Because I can’t carry you to the couch and perform first aid.”

She shook her head, and sat back down on the bed. “Wh-why are you here?” she asked shakily. “How long have you been here? Bugger that, how are you here?”

“There’s that innate curiosity, I know and love.” He said, smiling. “I missed that, although I must say you’re a bit out of touch. Usually you ask questions because you don’t know the answer, and I think it’s rather obvious how I’m here.”

“Why are you here?” she whispered, her thoughts were running a mile a minute. She watched him, wide eyed, not knowing if she should be horrified or elated at the return of her best friend. When she woke up that morning, she had been fully prepared to work from dawn till dusk and try to keep her mind off of Gideon and moping and now she was in his flat at the urging of her dog and he was there.

He was there, and he was a ghost.

In her opinion, it was a wonder she hadn’t fainted yet.

“Unfinished business.” He replied, after a pregnant pause.

“What unfinished business?” she asked softly, frowning in confusion. “What didn’t you get a chance to do?”

“Oh, a lot.” He answered lightly. “But don’t worry yourself about that. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there; for now, I just want to spend a little time here,” He looked her in the eye, an inscrutable expression on his face. “With you.”

He was the only man who could make her heart flutter like this, even from beyond the grave. If it were at all possible, she would have kicked him.

OoO

Hours later, Cassandra was back in her flat holding a cup of tea and staring at Gideon’s ghostly profile. He was sitting in the lumpy armchair he had always loved, the firelight visible through his torso. It gave her heart a dull sort of ache to see him like this, leading half an existence.

“You don’t deserve this.” She whispered before taking a swig of her tea and making Gideon look up from staring at the fire.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Cassie amended shaking her head. “What’s your unfinished business?”

“I can’t tell you that, Cass.” He said apologetically. “I’m sorry.”

“Why not?” she demanded, frowning at him. He opened his mouth to speak but a crash from the kitchen interrupted the makings of an argument. “Ripper.” She muttered wearily as she stood up.

He watched her walk out the door gloomily. “Because you’re my unfinished business Cassie.”

OoO

Being a ghost was quite the conundrum, as Gideon Prewett was only too quick to find. He could pass through objects, turn invisible and play tricks to freak people out but he couldn’t feel a thing. He could no longer feel the cold October wind, or the heat of the fire, the warmth of her presence…it was a cruel reminder of his current state. He was dead, and that was all there was to it.

He sat on Cassie’s couch, two days after she had found him, watching her get ready for bed. He knew her routine by heart now, although he’d never tell her that, being a ghost had its perks. She sat down next to him, carrying a blanket, which he eyed curiously.

“Is that for me?” he asked finally, feeling like he’d been stabbed. She averted her gaze and wrapped her arms around herself, instantly making him feel even worse.

“Yeah.” She answered in a whisper. “I’m sorry, it was thoughtless of me.”

“No.” he assured her. “It’s the thought that counts right? Don’t worry about it Cassie.”

“You can get mad if you want.” She said shaking her head. “I was being stupid.”

“Hey,” he cut in, frowning. “You weren’t being stupid, alright? I’m glad you appreciate my presence enough to get me a blanket.”

A long silence stretched out between them as they both just sat there, looking into the depths of the fire. He wanted to reach out and touch her, take her into his arms and tell her all the things he had never gotten to say, but he couldn’t. Not when his every touch would make her feel like she’d been doused in ice.

“Gid?” she said so softly it was almost a whisper.

“Yeah, Cass?”

“I-If I had asked you to stay, that night, w-would you have done as I asked?” her eyes looked at him with a sadness he had never seen there before.

“Like I said, you know I wouldn’t have,” He answered after a short pause. He saw her nod, a bitter smile on her face. “But I wanted to.”

She looked up so fast, he thought she might have gotten whiplash. “Y-you mean that?”

“I do.” He said sincerely. “You have no idea what I would give to just stay home and be with you.”

“But?” her shirt was loose and a side of it was falling off her shoulder. He wished his hand was still solid, so he could touch that shoulder; feel its warmth.

“But I have—had a job to do. I had to make the sacrifice.” He watched her turn away, her gaze shifting from him to the flickering fire, staring helplessly at it. He wished he could do something to make her feel better.

“Sacrifice.” She whispered, more to herself than him. “Seems that’s all people ever do these days is sacrifice. Was the sacrifice worth it?”

Cassie stood up and left the room without a backward glance, and Gideon was left to stare after her wondering the same thing.

OoO

It was Saturday, two weeks after Cassie had first found him in his new spectral state, and he was at home with Ripper waiting for the lady of the house to come home. Cassie had gone to work early that morning, so early in fact that it was ungodly even to him; and he was a ghost. He knew that as part of the medical profession she was required to work for a designated amount of time. Interns were supposed to have seventy hour work-shifts, which was well within reason. Cassie was at St. Mungo’s practically round-the-clock, and he was concerned. He checked the clock for the tenth time that night to find that it was ten o’clock and she still wasn’t home.

“Cassie, where the fuck are you?” he muttered, pacing worriedly as Ripper the wolfhound stared curiously at him from the couch. “Don’t look at me like that, aren’t you worried?”

The door in the hallway creaked open and Cassie walked in, arms laden with grocery bags. “I’m home.” She called, walking into the kitchen and set the bags down on the table as Gideon drifted sullenly in.

“Took you long enough.” He muttered settling himself on one of the wooden stools across from her, watching as she put away her shopping.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, eyeing him coldly.

“You leave for work at god-knows-what time in the morning and you come back home at this hour?” his words come out harsher than he intends and he inwardly winces.

“What’s wrong with coming home at this hour?” she asked, a challenging glint coming into her eyes. She knew better than to start a fight with him but she was stressed and more than a little annoyed with him. “If I recall you came home much later, didn’t you?”

“I—that was work Cassie!” he protested.

“And so is this.” She retorted.

“Where were you?” he asked, his tone changing from hostile to relaxed in a matter of moments. She frowned at him and gestured to the shopping bags to indicate the obvious.

“Where were you?” he repeats. “I don’t believe it would take you this long to buy groceries, Cassie.”

Her mouth tightens into a line as she glares at him. “What’s your unfinished business?” she demands, and watches bitterly as he looks away in silence. “See? You won’t tell me what it is, so I have no reason to tell you where I was.”

Gideon opened his mouth to shout at her to stop being such an unreasonable brat but a knock on the door interrupted them. Throwing one last glare at Gideon, Cassie made her way to the door and wrenched it open.

“Cassandra,” greeted Alex Luther. “I, uh, you left your bracelet at our table and well, I thought I’d bring it back.”

“What is that creeper doing here?” Gideon muttered under his breath as Ripper sniffed the air and bared his teeth at the intruder.

“Oh, bugger thanks, Alex.” Cassie said, grinning gratefully at the boy and accepting the bracelet. “But, err—it seems my dog is having some hospitality issues so, I’ll just get back to you, shall I?”

“Yeah, yeah sure.” The boy said, kissing Cassie goodbye on the cheek and walking off.

“You were with him?” Gideon demanded, once Cassie had closed the door. Cassie walked past him and back into the kitchen throwing up her arms in exasperation. “Cassie, no, come back here! You know I hate that guy! He’s a fucking creeper, why the hell were you with him?”

“No,” Cassie stated, shaking her head vehemently. “No, I don’t know you think he’s creepy and I don’t know why I was with him. Maybe because being with him made me forget about you for a while and Merlin knows I need that right now, Gid. I need some time to forget about you and the war and the fact that every move I make is being monitored and any second I could end up dead.”

“Get up.” He commanded stonily. Cassie looked up at him, her blue eyes filled with tears and her eyebrows knitted together in a frown of confusion. “Get up, Cassie.” He repeated. he followed him mutely as he led the way to the flat next door and indicated for her to open the door.

He didn’t want to do this, not yet. He knew the moment he showed her, his time would be up. He’d never get to see her again, and that thought made him feel sick with fear. He wasn’t afraid of Death or what lay beyond it, he was afraid that going on would mean losing her.

“Open the oven and twirl your wand three times counterclockwise.” He instructed, keeping his face blank. She pulled out the chocolate mousse he had spent hours perfecting and put it on the table, an expression of confusion on her face. “Grab a fork and eat up.”

“What?”

“Just eat up, Cassie.” He told her, trying hard not to let ghostly tears run down his cheeks as watched her. “I made that myself.”

“How?” she choked, looking at him incredulously.

“I put a preservation charm on it, you dork.” He told her, laughing softly.

“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t realize that.”

“Take a piece out of the middle,” he told her keeping a smile on his face and feeling like he was dying for the second time around with every word he uttered. “But before you take a bite let me just say that I’m sorry I ever did anything to hurt you. I’m sorry that you’re so sick of me that you have to go out with strangers just so you don’t have to think of how I’m in your life, I’m sorry I—“

“Shut up.” She interrupted angrily. “Shut up, shut up, shut up!”

There were tears coming from her eyes again as she looked at him. “Do you have to be an idiot even from beyond the grave? Gideon, I’m not sick of you. I could never be sick of you. When you died, I spent most of my time wishing you would come back but never, never, did I imagine that it would actually happen. I never though you’d actually come back as ghost.” She stood up and walked over to him, raising a hand to his cheek. “This is why. You are one of the bravest, most wonderful men I have ever known and you don’t deserve this. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that I got to see you again, talk to you, and feel your presence even after you’re gone but if it’s at the expense of you living half an existence then it’s not worth it.”

“I can’t feel your hand there, Cassie.” He whispered miserably, closing his eyes. “I can see it, I know it’s there but I can’t feel it.”

She stifles a sob desperately as she strokes the cold air that is his cheek. “I know, Gid but just for a moment pretend that you can. Pretend that you can feel the warmth of my touch, the feel of my skin against yours.”

He tried to recall the memories, the sensations of all the good time he had shared with her but found that they could not amount to the real thing. “I-I can’t.”

“I know…”she whispered. “This is why you have to go. We have to resolve your unfinished business so you can move on.”

A silvery tear trails down his cheek as he looks at her, and nods. “Go back and finish your chocolate mousse.” He sees the questioning look on her face. “Just do it Cass, please.”

She nods and walks back to the table and takes a bit of the cake, to placate him. He can feel himself getting stretched, tall and thin on the inside but he takes a deep breath and soldiers on. “I made that cake the day Fabian and I were called out to our Death Mission; I spent hours trying to get it perfect because I knew it was your favorite. I even had Molly owl me cooking tips so I didn’t mess it up. I had it all planned out. You’d come home from work really tired and I’d invite you to the flat to have dinner, just the two of us. We’d have a two course meal and then I’d serve desert.” A wistful smile started playing at his lips. “I’d give you the special piece, the one in the middle, where I’d put a very special surprise, which you should be getting right about now.”

Cassie coughed and choked out a ring, right on cue. “See? I spent ages looking for that, and when I did I just sort of knew it was the one. I was going to ask you to marry me that night Cass. It was going to be the most wonderful night of my life, but then we got that call. We had a mission to go to, and the Prewetts do not abandon their duties. So I put the cake in the oven, hid it and preserved it so I could continue my plans for later but things went awry and here we are.”

“Wh-why didn’t you tell me in the first place?” she asked, sobbing. He smiled and shrugged.

“I wanted to stay here and spend more time with you.” He confessed, effectively breaking her heart two times over. He walked over to her and knelt down, his ghostly form glowing slightly in the lighting. “Cassandra Avery, I love you more than life itself, will you marry me?”

She looked from the beautiful, chocolate-stained silver band in her hand to the pale spirit of the man she loved kneeling on the floor and slipped the ring onto her finger.

“Yes,” she whispered, her heart shattering into a million pieces as he slowly disappeared like a wisp of smoke, a happy smile on his face.

“I love you.” Came the echo of their shared whisper, and then he was gone.