Winter Flying Fun

"Of course not." Robert said quietly. "We all loose ourselves in work or the war and sometimes we find ourselves alone at night eating dinner by candle light accompanied by a glass of wine because you've forgotten to pay your electric bill. It is times like those that one is glad for the company of a familiar. I don't have many friends if I am honest. Try as I might I can't shake off my family but I'm grateful that I haven't managed to because all I'd have left would be the company of a few Malfoys and, well, my dog I guess."

Robert chuckled and ran fingers through his hair. He looked over to the picnic basket and waved his hand. The lid opened and two pitchers of cider floated out. Robert smiled and caught the pitchers - it seemed for once he was thankful for the gifts given to him. Rob turned back to Khaat and handed one of the pitchers to her.

"Here, you don't want to be getting cold or ill." Rob smiled.

"Thank you," Khaat smiled. She tasted the cider. It was perfect. Perfectly spiced, perfectly heated. Just the way she liked it. "Perfect, "she smiled at him, "I love cider all winter long. And I guess I have the same situation you do. I don't have many friends here either. I would have probably Narcissa Malfoy, and that might be it. I have some childhood friends back home in Cornwall,but I haven't seen them since I moved here. I guess I've been married to a cause. I was raised by my uncle, and when he was killed, I lost all interest in everything. I retreated to my parents' farm and basically exiled myself there. But then I decided that I didn't want Remus Lupin to have died in vain, and, second, I wanted to make sure that the ones responsible knew that Lupins don't take that sort of a huge loss lightly. And so, here I am. You know, " she said, feeling a little cautious, "if you ever get tired of eating alone, I make a great muggle style pot roast. Muggles make the best pot roast, you know."

Rob smiled. "As odd as it is I was born on a boat." he smirked to himself and shook his head. "Apparently my dad was giving my mum grief and she was heavily pregnant at the time. Of course, my father left once we'd docked in Southampton as per the Whitlock curse. Yeah, my grandmother wasn't too happy about the fact that I was, well, male. It's not really the norm for my mum's family. All of them were girls every one. Legend has it that the Whitlock women ward off men or something. I dunno - personally I think it's all rubbish."

The shocking thing was that his grandmother swore by the legend. When Rob was younger she'd run round the house after him hitting him with her wooden spoon - cursing him for being male and a vegetarian. Mostly he only said that so he wouldn't have to eat their awful food but he did tend to find meat a bit off putting.

"That would be great actually." Robert said, thankful for the offer of a Muggle pot roast. At had been years since he'd had one and looked forward to it. "I suppose I could come by this weekend or something if you wanted but when ever is easier I guess."

"You're welcome any time you like, "Khaat smiled warmly, "but I'll make the potroast on Saturday if that's alright. I have the little cobblestone cottage behind Honeydukes. Its one of a kind on that street. You can't miss it. Watch the protection charms when you come. I'm sure you can handle that without any problem. I'll look forward to it."

Ana squeeled with delight as Archangel grabbed the fish and did an arc in triumphant. She reached into her pocket as he settled on her shoulder and pulled out another treat holding it out for him smiling. "Here you go Archangel. Your such a good boy, and a very handsome eagle." She said as she looked at archangel. Ana wanted a bird but was never allowed to have one, until now. She smiled at Archangel petting him softly. She held the fish as she looked over her shoulder at Khaat, grinning widely.

Archangel snatched the berry from her fingers, proud of bringing back the fish, and always glad for a treat. "He likes you, " Khaat laughed. "I'm glad you're meeting him. If I ever get the chance to teach, no doubt he'll be with me." Then she added with a laugh, "And heaven knows, we wouldn't want any distractions in the classroom, would we?"

"I'm glad he does. I like him too." She giggled and looked at Eagle. "He would be the biggest distraction to me. Cause i would sneak him treats and good stuff won't I Archangel?" Ana giggled as she petted him softly.

Archangel seemed to understand her because he made a little contented chirping sound in response to her question. It made Khaat laugh. "Ah, see," Khaat said, "He does like you. A lot. Well, now I know where i can get an eagle sitter if I ever have to go out of town." Khaat took the little flying toy and threw it as hard as she could and watched it soar out of sight, with Archangel in fast pursuit. She loved to watch him fly and soar. It looked so effortless and easy.