CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
A/N: Well most of you are really enjoying the beginnings of the Ethan/Maddie relationship, so here's hoping you guys like this chapter as well.
And don't hate Miss Cheese (oops we mean Bree) too much ;) She's really not a bad person! Think of her as Megan, only less annoying hahaha
Also- for the ages- Maddie is actually seventeen, going on eighteen, and Ashley's seven, Katie is five. Saffy's thirteen and RJ's fifteen. If you have any other questions regarding ages let us know and we'll post a list for you in a review reply.
As always, please let us know what you think by leaving a review!!
Later that evening, after dinner in which he was bombarded about questions from his training; Ethan sat in the kitchen with his father. "Dad can I talk to you?" he asked.
"Sure," Harry said smiling at his son. "What's on your mind?"
"Well..." Ethan tried to figure out where to begin. "You know how Maddie and I went out shopping earlier right?"
"Yes," Harry replied, leaning back in his chair.
"I almost kissed her," Ethan confessed. "We were talking and she's just become this... amazing woman. And Bree and I have been having troubles lately and I don't know what to do about any of it."
Harry didn't know what he should ask about first---his son's near kiss with Maddie Weasley or Ethan's problems with his girlfriend.
"Well, you and Bree seemed to be getting along alright at dinner," Harry commented.
"Did you notice we seemed more like friends than a boyfriend and girlfriend?" Ethan asked. "Even when we were kissing earlier there was just nothing to it."
"That's the way Cho and I were years ago when we were dating," Harry said.
"I guess I just don't know what to do about all this," Ethan said, pushing his hands through his hair.
"When did all of this begin with Maddie?" Harry asked him. "You haven't seen her in months, right?"
"Not in a long time," Ethan replied. He told his father about seeing her out dancing in the snow the night before. "And then we just had so much fun when we were out getting Christmas presents today..."
"Regardless of what new feelings you might be having for Maddie," Harry said quietly. "I think you need to talk to Bree."
"We've been trying to talk all night," Ethan said morosely. "We can't get a moment together."
"How about you try now?" Harry asked. "Everyone's pretty much getting ready for bed."
"I could try," Ethan replied.
"Daddy," Saffron said coming into the kitchen in her pyjamas. When she saw her brother, she froze. "Oh, hi Ethan."
"Hey Saffy," Ethan spoke up. "How was ice skating?"
"It was fun," Saffron said. "It would have been more fun with you, but I guess I understand why you couldn't come with."
Ethan pulled her over and gave her a hug. "I promise to take you at least twice before you go back to school. And I promise to take at least three afternoons for just you and me to do whatever we want okay?"
"I'd like that," Saffron said grinning at him. "Hey, Ethan? Did you really set up a fort in the nursery when I was a baby?"
"How did you find out about that?" Ethan asked as Harry began to laugh.
"From Princess Cruella," Saffron replied dryly.
Ethan turned red. "You were talking to Maddie about me?"
"She was trying to make me feel better," Saffron said quickly. "Don't be mad at her, Ethan. I was really angry with you because I thought you liked Bree more than us. And she said that you loved me very much and she told me about how you made it your mission to protect me."
"Aye, she's right," Ethan replied. "About me protecting you when we were kids. And that I love you Saffy." he grinned and mussed her hair.
"I'm going to hold you to your promises, little man," Saffron said impishly. "Dad told me about that little nickname."
"Gee thanks Dad," Ethan said but he was grinning. "At least he never calls me baby."
"I like it when he calls me that," Saffron said punching her brother in the arm.
"That's right," Harry drew his youngest daughter into his arms. "What are you doing down here? I thought you were going to bed."
"I was coming to give you a hug," Saffron said giggling. "And to grab a chocolate biscuit or two."
"If there are any left," Harry replied. "Your uncle Ron inhaled the plate about ten minutes ago."
"Nana Molly always hides some," Saffron said mischievously.
"That's true," Harry laughed.
"I'm going to try and talk to Bree," Ethan stood up.
"Good luck son," Harry said.
"Thanks," Ethan replied. He went up the stairs to the room where Molly had put Bree. He knocked softly on the door. "Bree?" he called.
"Come in," she called out.
"Hey," he said, slipping inside.
"What would everyone say if they saw you in here?' Bree asked teasingly.
"Who knows," Ethan laughed. "Nothing good most likely."
"I almost wish we were back at your flat," Bree said laughing. "Then we could do what we wanted."
Ethan gave her a half smile. "Yeah," he replied. "Listen I'm really sorry we haven't got a chance to talk. We both said we wanted some time to sit down this holiday and it's just already been so crazy."
"It's enough that we're together now," Bree said softly. "Things have been hectic, but we can work on our problems, Ethan. You'll be through with your training and I'll finish my classes. We just have to be patient."
"Well yes I suppose but..." Ethan sat on the edge of the bed.
"But what?" Bree asked. "Ethan?"
"What do you feel now Bree?" Ethan asked.
Bree smiled. "I feel happy."
"Even though we've barely seen each other in the past few months?" Ethan asked. "You don't want more than that?"
"I'd like to see more of you, of course," Bree said quietly. "But I understand that you've been busy. I know that distance and time have always been issues for us, but we can work through that."
"But what I'm saying is that time and distance might always be issues." Ethan said. "I'm going to be going all around doing who knows what as an Auror. And once you finish school you'll be going all over the place yourself."
"And time and distance won't be an issue for you and that girl?" Bree retorted.
"What girl, Maddie?" Ethan asked. "Maddie and I are friends. Don't get jealous of her."
"Just friends?" Bree asked angrily. "I saw how you looked at her tonight at dinner. I thought I was imagining it, but I wasn't was I? You and I have been going out for six months and you've never once looked at me like that."
"Bree," Ethan began. "I thought you were okay with us taking this time to talk our relationship out. Now you're acting as if I've been cheating on you."
"I'm not accusing you of anything, Ethan," Bree said quietly. "But before we came here, you and I talked about wanting to do whatever we had to make this work. And now you don't seem like you want to do that. I can't help wondering if she had something to do with that."
"I haven't seen her in months," Ethan replied.
"Okay," Bree said nodding. "You're right. Our relationship problems have nothing to do with her."
"It's just that... I don't want to hurt you Bree. I care about you a lot." Ethan said.
"But you don't love me," Bree said looking at him. "Do you?"
"Not like you want," Ethan finished.
Neither of them said a word for a long time.
"I think I'm going to go," she finally said, standing up.
"No don't leave," Ethan said, grabbing her hand. "I really want us to stay friends Bree. I know that sounds corny as hell but I really want that."
"I-I can't be here, Ethan," Bree said trying to hold it together. "Maybe someday we can be friends, but I just can't do that now."
Ethan felt horrible. "I'm so sorry Bree," he said quietly. "Here I am ruining your holidays. I'm such an arse."
She knew he wanted her to tell him that he wasn't an arse and that he wasn't ruining her holidays, but she couldn't tell him that.
"It's a good thing I didn't unpack properly," she found herself saying instead.
"Let me help you," he said.
"With what?" Bree asked him. "You and I both know you want to go. I do love you, Ethan. And you just broke my heart. What do you expect to happen? You help me carry my bag downstairs? You give me a friendly hug right before I leave?"
Ethan sighed in frustration. "Just that nothing I say now is right. And yeah, I don't expect you to be all happy about this Bree. But something tells me you knew this was coming as well as I did."
"No, I didn't," Bree said. "What I thought was that you were committed to me and to our relationship. I haven't even been here a whole day before you're ready to chuck me."
"I'm not ready to chuck you," Ethan said, growing a bit angry. "Would you rather have sat around here with me knowing how I felt and us just tiptoeing around it and ruining the holiday for everyone?"
Bree snapped shut the clasp on her suitcase. "You're not ready to chuck me? You just did, Ethan."
"That's not what I'm doing and you know it," Ethan said sharply. "I want you to stay."
"Why?"
"Because like I said, I do care about you." Ethan lowered his voice. "Despite the fact that I don't think we're cut out to be a couple. We've already broken up once before Bree. Things just haven't been the same this time around."
Bree wanted to argue with him, but couldn't. Things hadn't been the same this time around, but she still loved him.
"I don't think I can stay, Ethan," she said wiping a tear from her cheek. "I know you can't understand that, but it would just be too hard for me."
He seemed to deflate a bit. "Can we get together once the holidays are over?" he asked. "Just to talk things over?"
"Sure," Bree said nodding. Another tear fell down her cheek. She wasn't expecting to ever hear from him again. "Please give my best to your family and the Weasleys. And...tell them I'm sorry I had to go."
"Bree," Ethan stood up. "I really do care. I'm not just saying that."
"Goodbye, Ethan."
"See you soon Bree," Ethan said as she left the bedroom.
A few minutes later, Harry was walking upstairs when he saw his son come out of Bree's bedroom.
"How'd it go?" Harry asked, but by the look on his son's face he already knew the answer.
"Bad," Ethan sighed. "I feel like crap Dad. She felt a lot more for me than I did for her. And now I think I ruined her holidays."
"There's no perfect way to end things, Ethan," Harry said. "Someone is always going to get hurt."
"Yeah I know but I feel like I should have done it a better way," Ethan replied. "I've never had to break up with someone before."
"You didn't tell her that you hoped the two of you could still be friends, did you?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," Ethan said. "Why was that wrong?"
"Girls never want to hear that," Harry said with a laugh. "It's tantamount to you fancying someone and having them tell you that they think of you like a brother."
"But I really do want to be friends with her Dad," Ethan said. "I care about her. I'm just not in love with her."
"I know," Harry said putting an arm around his son. "But girls don't want to hear that when you're breaking their heart. Bree's just going to need some time, Ethan. You never know, son. Cho and I broke up and she's one of my best friends."
"I'll keep that in mind," Ethan replied. "I told her I wanted to see her after the holidays were over but I don't think she believed me."
"Just give her some time," Harry counselled his son.
"I just can't help but feel horrible," Ethan said.
"I know you feel bad now, but would you really have wanted to stay in a relationship with someone that you didn't love?" Harry asked him.
"No," Ethan shook his head. "I think I'd feel worse if I dragged her along through Christmas and then broke things off."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Ethan."
"I'll try not to be," Ethan replied. "I'm going downstairs to get a drink."
"Saffy saved you some biscuits," Harry said smiling at his son. "She hid them under a tea cosy."
"Fantastic," Ethan said. "I'll see you tomorrow Dad."
"Night, son."
Ethan went down the stairs and into the kitchen, immediately finding the aforementioned biscuits. He was hoping there would be some Firewhisky nearby but he had to settle for some butterbeer instead.
Maddie was having trouble sleeping and decided that she'd go downstairs to get some warm milk. She tiptoed down the stairs and walked into the dark kitchen, not seeing Ethan sitting at the table.
"Are you angry with me?" a voice made her jump. She turned around to see Ethan with some of Nana's chocolate biscuits in front of him. "You haven't said a word to me since this afternoon."
"Ethan," she said softly. "I'm not angry with you."
His face relaxed. "Good," he said. "That's one less person then. I think Bree hates me now."
"Why would you say that?" Maddie asked walking over to him. "She seemed pretty happy to see you this afternoon."
Ethan sighed. "I just broke up with her. I thought she was in the same stage of our relationship that I was, only I found out she wanted more than I could give her."
"Oh," Maddie said quietly. She hadn't expected this and being as she'd never had the experience of breaking up with someone, she didn't really quite know what to say. "You broke up with her during the holidays?"
Ethan winced. "Yeah. I know, I'm a git, a prat, an arse... but I didn't want to wait until after to just spring it on her."
"I'm sorry," Maddie said. "I shouldn't have said anything. It's not my place."
Ethan shook his head. "I just didn't know what to do. I even asked her to stay but she said no." he didn't want to mention that Bree thought Maddie had something to do with his feelings for her.
"You didn't really expect her to stay, did you?" Maddie asked. When she saw the look on his face, she let out a hollow laugh. "I just keep sticking my foot in my mouth. I guess I really am my father's daughter sometimes, right?"
"It's okay," Ethan replied. "My dad told me that I shouldn't have asked her to be friends, and I shouldn't have tried to make her stay. I just really didn't want to hurt her Maddie. I do care about her."
"I know you do," Maddie said thoughtfully, sitting down. "And she knows that, too. She'd probably just hurting right now."
"I just wish that there was something I could do," Ethan muttered, running his hands through his hair. "I hate the thought that I ruined her holidays."
"I wish I knew something to say," Maddie said smiling shyly at him. "But I do think that everything happens for a reason."
"Yeah I guess," Ethan replied, taking a large swig of butterbeer. "Man I wish I had some Firewhisky."
"Grandpa Arthur keeps some hidden in the cabinet over the stove," Maddie said.
"He does?" Ethan brightened. He went to the cabinet and after digging around for a moment extracted a half empty bottle. "Fantastic."
"I don't see how you can drink that stuff," Maddie said grimacing.
"Just once in awhile," Ethan replied, pouring a bit into a glass. "Want to try it?"
"No thank you," Maddie said standing up and walking over to the icebox. "I think I'll stick with my warm milk."
"Okay," Ethan gulped it down, half enjoying the burning sensation it left in his throat.
"How are things with you and Saffy?" Maddie asked as she poured some milk into a saucepan.
"Better," Ethan said, resting his forehead against the cool glass of the window. "Thanks for talking to her by the way. Princess Cruella."
Maddie laughed. "She was pretty upset with you. I hope you don't mind me telling her about that."
"No, its fine," Ethan said, returning the bottle to the cupboard and grabbing his butterbeer. "I hate disappointing her."
"She just wants to spend time with her big brother," Maddie said pouring her warm milk into a mug. "I was the same with Josh and Jon when I was little."
"Your nieces sure like spending time with you," Ethan commented, his eyes on her as she moved back to the table.
"I enjoy spending time with them," Maddie said. "Caroline kept wanting me to show her how to spin when we were at the lake earlier. And she's so independent, you know? I showed her how to do it, but then she wanted to do it all by herself."
Ethan smiled. "I wish I'd come with you guys now."
"We had a good time," Maddie said. "But we did make plans to go again during the holiday. You're more than welcome to come with next time."
"Definitely," Ethan replied. "I promised Saffy that I'd spend a few afternoons with her."
"You'd better keep your promise this time," Maddie teased. "I wouldn't want to tell her how you yelled at her while she was in your mum's tummy."
Ethan laughed. "I promise I will be there this time."
Maddie drained her mug and smiled at Ethan. "I should probably get to bed."
"Me too," Ethan replied. "Tomorrow being Christmas Eve and all. I have to wrap all those presents I bought today. Plus Nana Molly and Grandpa Arthur have their tree decorating party."
"Are your mum's parents coming?" Maddie asked him.
"I think so," Ethan replied. "Remind me to ask her tomorrow morning."
"Will do," Maddie said. She went to wash her mug, but Ethan took it from her. "Such the gentleman, aren't we?"
"I try," Ethan replied, setting the dishes aside. Maddie dried them and put them back in the cupboard. "Listen, thanks for talking with me tonight."
"No problem," Maddie said, giving him a hug. "Don't be too hard on yourself."
"I'll try not to be," Ethan replied, taking the moment to bury his face in her hair. She smelled of lilacs and something else he couldn't quite put his finger on.
Reluctantly, Maddie pulled away. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Yeah," Ethan replied. "Have a good night's sleep. No dancing in the snow."
"I'm too knackered from shopping and skating," Maddie said with a grin. "No dancing for me tonight."
"Night Madeline," Ethan said, watching her go down the hall to her room.
*** *** ***
Christmas morning found Caroline Weasley tiptoeing out of the room she was sharing with Katie and Ashley Malfoy. She'd only slept a couple of hours last night because she'd been so excited about Santa's arrival. She knocked on her parents' bedroom door and didn't wait for a response as she opened the door.
"Daddy?" Caroline asked softly, shaking her father. "Daddy?"
Jon was dead to the world but Allison had already been waking up on and off. "What is it sweetheart?" she asked groggily.
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS!" Caroline screamed happily.
"What?" Jon jerked awake. "Where's the fire?"
Caroline giggled. "There's no fire, Daddy! It's Christmas! I'm ready to see my presents!"
"Caroline," Jon rubbed at his eyes. "It's five in the morning baby. Go back to sleep for a little while."
"Everyone else is still asleep, Caroline," Allison said motioning for her little girl to climb into bed. "You stay here with Daddy and me and then we'll go downstairs in a bit."
"But Mummy please," Caroline begged.
"Caroline Weasley," Jon began.
"But Daddy what if someone goes down there and takes my presents?" Caroline asked pleadingly.
"No one's going to do that baby," Allison said.
Caroline climbed into the bed and pouted.
"Caroline baby," Jon said. "I'm begging you, sweetheart. Don't give me that look."
"Can we go down in fifteen minutes?" Caroline asked.
"Fifteen minutes works for me," Jon said happily. He hoped that his daughter would be so tired that she'd fall asleep before the fifteen minutes passed.
"Come here my sweet girl," Allison said holding out her arms.
Caroline climbed up next to her mother and Allison kissed her daughter's forehead. "How much sleep did you get last night baby?"
"Two or three hours," Caroline answered softly. "I kept watching the clock."
"You've got to be exhausted," Allison replied. She suddenly put a hand to her stomach. "The baby's kicking again. Want to feel it?"
"Can I?" Caroline asked excitedly.
"Of course you can," Allison brought her daughter's hand to her belly and Jon put his hand on top of Caroline's. The Weasleys sat for a few minutes in contented silence before they heard excited voices and footsteps outside, running down the hall towards the sitting room.
"Everyone's awake, baby," Caroline said to her mother's stomach. "Did you hear that, mum? The baby thinks we should go and open presents."
"Nice try Caroline," Jon said. "Go ahead. Your Mum and I will be down in a minute."
Caroline smiled and ran out of the room.
"Guess we'd better go," Jon yawned. "So much for a good night's sleep."
"You can say that again," Allison struggled to get up and her husband slipped her pink robe over her shoulders. "Thank you." she smiled and gave him a kiss.
"Promise me that we get to come back here for a kip later," Jon said.
"That's a promise," Allison kissed him again.
"Come on," Jon said squeezing her hand and leading her out of the bedroom.
"Happy Christmas, big brother!" Maddie said giving him a hug.
"Thanks Mad Dog," Jon said, giving her an affectionate squeeze. "Happy Christmas to you too."
"And how is my favourite pregnant sister-in-law?" Maddie asked giving Allison a hug.
"Very pregnant," Allison said. "Baby's quite active this morning too."
"Would that be my big brother you're referring to or the baby in here?" Maddie asked patting Allison's stomach.
"You probably don't want to know," Allison laughed.
"Hey Happy Christmas everyone," Ethan had joined them. Maddie was glad to see he looked a little more cheerful than he had the previous day.
"Happy Christmas!" Maddie said giving him a hug. She laughed at the state of his hair. "Is your hair always this messy in the mornings?"
"Yes," Ethan said, rumpling it some more. "Adds to my charm don't you think?"
"You should have seen mine before I put it into plaits," Maddie said toying with one of them.
"I'm sure it looked horrible," Ethan deadpanned. "Come on, if we don't get down there soon there may not be any presents left to open. My nieces are quick."
"You're right," Maddie said leading the way down the stairs. The children were already furiously opening presents.
"Happy Christmas, Mum!" Ethan said, giving Hermione a hug.
"You too love," Hermione kissed her son's cheek. "You'd better get in there." she motioned to the fray in front of them.
"My dad isn't awake yet, is he?" Maddie asked.
"I think he's in the kitchen," Hermione replied, giving the young woman a hug. "His second home."
"We'll be lucky if we get table scraps," Maddie whispered to Ethan.
"Tell me about it," he said, sitting on the sofa and reaching in for Saffron's gift.
"You're opening mine first?" Saffron asked momentarily forgetting about her own presents.
"Sure," Ethan said. "Didn't you get mine yet?"
"I did!" Saffron exclaimed, giving him a hug. "I'd been wanting those for such a long time, Ethan!"
"I'm glad you like them," he chuckled, patting her back. "Let's see here what you got me..." he unwrapped the gift.
Saffron sat down beside her brother and watched as he opened up her present. She'd spent all her free time knitting him the red and gold scarf and she hoped that he liked it.
"Hey!" Ethan said. "This is fantastic!" he looped it around his neck. "I can't wait for everyone in training to see this!"
"You really like it?" Saffron asked him. "It's okay if you don't, but do you really like it?"
"I love it," Ethan gave her a hug. "Thank you so much."
"She made me this hat," Julie said from across the room.
"Greta taught you well," Nick said to his sister in law. "She always wanted to teach me how to do that, but I could never sit still long enough."
"There's a big surprise," Harry teased.
Maddie helped Caroline open up her presents and several of her own. "I think that's almost everything," she said, looking around at the disaster of a living room.
Ethan was under the tree, digging around. "Almost, but not quite," he handed Maddie the small wrapped package that had the Cornish Pixie in it.
"This is for me?" Maddie asked taken aback.
"Yes," Ethan sat back against the sofa with a grin.
Maddie smiled as she slowly unwrapped the package. She opened the gift box and pulled back the tissue paper. As she looked at the silver bracelet and the Cornish Pixie charm she felt her breath catch in her throat.
"I can't believe it," she whispered.
"Happy Christmas," Ethan said softly.
Tears welled up in Maddie's eyes at Ethan's gesture and the memory of her childhood pet.
"This is the best present anyone has ever given me," she said softly. "I don't know what to say..."
"You don't have to say anything," Ethan replied. "I'm just glad you like it."
"I love it," Maddie said giving him another hug.
Ethan couldn't stop the racing yet pleasant lurch in his stomach as she pressed her lips to his cheek. "I got it when you were in the back of that store," he said, helping fasten it to her wrist.
"You're very sneaky, Ethan," Maddie said laughing. "Did they teach you that in training?"
"Why yes they did," He replied.
Maddie smiled. Everyone else had already moved out of the sitting room and into the kitchen and she and Ethan were alone. She started to get to her feet, but he grabbed her arm.
"What?" she asked softly. "What is it?"
"I just... wanted to thank you again for talking to me the other night," he said quietly. "I did a lot of thinking and I decided what I did was right."
"I didn't really do anything," Maddie said. "Other than telling you where Grandpa keeps his secret stash."
Ethan grinned. "Well since I've gotten here you've just been really good to have around- you listen without judging and I just wanted you to know that I appreciate it."
Maddie smiled. "So I guess I'm not just some stupid girl with a cool pixie, eh?"
"Nah," Ethan smiled back. "You're a bright, attractive young woman with a cool pixie."
Maddie moved to kiss him on the cheek again, but at the last second, he turned and she found her lips pressed against his.