Following on from City of Delusion

Wolfgang, (Johann's father) has just accused Johann and Colin for being 'more than friends' while visiting their flat for the first time. Furious, Wolfgang seeks out the only other person he can speak to in the country at that time, rather than flooing home to his wife immediately to inform her.

(Topic titles are themed from song titles)

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"It is just obscene!" Wolfgang paced back and forth across his private chambers, and Ignan wondered if his relative would soon wear a hole in the rug.

It was late on Friday night, and the wind was still very much in Wolfgang's sails as he explained what had just happened in London. Ignan was gleaning the truth between the lines from reaching his mind to Wolfgang's while he was emotional. It made it easier to read.

Ignan had managed to persuade him to keep his voice down until they were safely inside the rooms which made up his quarters. Two armchairs, a table, desk, piles of books, the fireplace and a set of photographs made up the room. He spent much of his time away from these walls, so it remained simple, yet functional. He rarely entertained guests in term time, not at all if he could help it.

Sat in one of the armchairs, the Deputy Head of Hogwarts pinched the bridge of his noise, a slight headache forming. He had initially been disturbed as to whether Johann had let slip to his father about Ignan's recent discovery of a son, but he appeared none the wiser.

"It seems to me cousin, that you have entirely got the wrong end of the broom." The older man remarked calmly. He had to convince Wolfgang this as quickly and easily as he could, for everyone's sake. Wolfgang was a little shit on a good day, but scorned he would cause trouble for everyone, including Ignan.

"Sit down." He told his relative firmly, as he would a student.

Surprisingly it had the desired result, and after a moment's pause, he settled in the adjacent armchair.
"Johann stayed here a few nights when he first arrived, and with Vasily, then with Gabrielle, and it wasn't until those two fell out temporarily that he sought somewhere else - Bombay, and then finally Downer. He's fond of Downer, but he's not in love with the man." Ignan shook his head, and poured a drink for them both.

"I hate to say this, but you have jumped to conclusions. Yes, Johann may not have been as honest as I had hoped about Hannah Bombay, but remember, he is a very close friend to her too. We both know he wouldn't hurt a fly, so he's an obvious soft touch with ladies. I was actually relieved to hear he'd got Colin." Ignan raised his glass to Wolfgang in a toast.

"Two men living together is nothing strange. I spent years sharing rooms with Georg and it never meant anything like that was going on. Quite the opposite, it made it easier to bring home women."

The words appeared to have the desired effect. Ignan couldn't help but feel satisfied as Wolfgang placed his hands to his face and groaned.

"I think it might help matters if you apologise to him." He added, pushing further.

"You really don't think he's that way at all? Despite what we all think?" Wolfgang asked for confirmation.
"Johann is Johann, and that's all we can ask for, or ever hope for. Your son is unique, and for Merlin's sake man, he's what, thirty-three, and you're still worrying about him like a child? Is it any wonder he seeks life here, away from you?"

That hit the mark, and Wolfgang shot a pained look in his direction.
"Sorry cousin, it had to be said."

Wolfgang swallowed the whiskey and nodded.
"I suppose you're right."

"And admitting your apparition before the Muggles would help too."

Wolfgang made a face like a disgusted cat. Turning himself in to the Ministry of Magic, he almost wanted to apologise to Johann more than that.

"I don't want to throw you out, but I have evening patrol to do." Ignan uttered, sitting forwards and inclining his head to the door to the corridor.

Wolfgang obliged, allowing himself to be seen out. But as the Hogwarts gates closed behind him, and Ignan's form retreated out of sight into the gloom of the grounds, a nagging thought came to his mind.

He hadn't told Ignan about the Muggles...