Gale had skipped dinner, taking up refuge in his office to do a few things that required much concentration, and he played the events of the past few weeks over and over again in his head. Of course he was upset, but there wasn't anything that could be done about it. And instead of baking his cares away, he settled in front of the fire with his needles and yard to knit away his stress. It was a task he'd picked up from his grandmother, one of the few things that she did to pass time. However, she wasn't the sort of granny that spent her time knitting socks or hats for her people,

'The better skill you have with the needle, boy, the better you will be at sealing skin.' They always used red yarn, and Gale often fell asleep tangled in it; which he felt like doing now.

This term was proving a horrid challenge, and now he was faced with the task of finding a house on his own. The students were rather restless already for spring, and his own emotions were everywhere. He didn't have time to be this upset, but he was...enough that he'd thought about slipping some wine in his tea tonight just to help him sleep. One of the few things that was keeping him sane was keeping after his students, and a few more than others.

And just when he felt he couldn't get out of his own self pity enough a knock came at the door, and Gale called them in.

"Come in?" The fire was roaring in it's hearth, the office filled with the warm light, and the gold lettering of the books along the walls all shimmered out of respect. He dabbed at his wet cheeks before sitting up enough to welcome his visitor in, the blood from his bad eye staining the tissue.

It had certainly been a day. Lucas already had all his classes he had to take and then today was his first remedial flying class. He had no idea that simply adding that extra class was going to make the day seem so much longer.

Lucas was starting to feel a bit like himself again. He was realizing how much he had goofed off last semester and how it had taken its toll on everything. Flying was the only class he had actually failed, but he knew he had to make a lot of improvements now. School was about the only thing he had to hold onto right now and he needed to focus.

He was thankful for his friends that were helping keep him level headed and occupied. He was especially thankful for his charms professor for being there for him. Kesali had been there for him a few times over the holiday and had helped him a few times now that the semester had started back up. Lucas was so grateful he had someone like the professor in his life now. There was only so much he could say to his siblings and other family members. The more he talked to the professor, the closer he felt to the man, almost like the professor was a sibling as well. Or maybe more like an uncle of sorts. He had decided he would talk to Kesali at dinner that night and let him know that he was finally starting to feel better and to thank the man for all he had done. Kesali wasn't there though. That was a bit unusual. After dinner, Lucas decided to go to the professor's office and see if he was there.

"Come in?"

Lucas opened the door and stepped into the office. He loved how the professor typically had the fire lit and smiled as the warmth of it touched his cheeks. He shut the door behind him and walked toward the professor.

"Thanks for letting me in. I just..."

Lucas' voice trailed off when he saw the professor's face. Had he been crying? He glanced at the tissue and saw the red on it and glanced back at the man's face. Lucas had never seen his professor like this. He hadn't really seen any adult like this. He had just assumed that people like Professor Kesali didn't cry. He was obviously wrong in that assumption. He sat down in a chair close to the man and put his bag down.

"What's wrong, Professor?"

Gale looked forward to his evenings with Lucas more than he should admit. The boy brightened up every corner of this lonely place, and his siblings all brought to the table something different and unique. So he wasn't surprised seeing the boy walk through his door, nor did he care if he saw him this way. Lucas was welcome here, and was often offered the couch to sleep when his dorm mates bothered him. Gale fed him, listened to him, and tended after him like a mother duck but he couldn't say he felt paternal just yet. It was more of a mutual respect, just like his Romani family--they were all family no matter what branch little owls sat on the family tree.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just being a little sentimental tonight." He lifted his knitting that didn't look like much, and shook his head. "I'm trying to make you some gloves, but...I think I'll just give up and go buy some. All I could think about while you were in flying class was how cold your hands had to be." He tried to laugh, and put the knitting down on a bit of paper that was a letter from his lover, one he folded up.

"How are you? Feeling alright today?"

Lucas looked down at his hands. They had gotten a bit sore during class. The cold air nipped at them and they were a little red after class. Gloves would probably help. He hadn't even thought about his hands though. He had been more focused on trying to pay attention in class and not mess up like he had last semester.

"Gloves would be great. It got pretty cold out there today. You don't have to make or get me any though. I'll be fine. I got warmed up shortly after class. I appreciate the thought though. It's really nice."

"How are you? Feeling alright today?"

"I'm doing alright. That's actually what I came to tell you. I'm starting to finally get my head right and get my thoughts together. I'm starting to realize how important school is now and how hard I need to be working to do well. I actually paid attention in flying today and didn't try to tease anyone off their brooms. I even flew a bit this time."

Lucas glanced around again like he usually did. Kesali's room was always comfortable to him. It was so warm and inviting he couldn't help but to love visiting. At night when he couldn't sleep was the best. He slept so well on the couch in this room. He was looking to see if something was out of place though. The professor was obviously upset. The energy in the room felt off. He was looking for some sort of sign or something to try and figure out what was wrong. He stopped worrying about why he had gone into the room. He was more concerned about his professor. The man had been there for him this whole time. Maybe he could be here for Kesali now? They seemed to be like friends and friends were there for each other right? He knew he was young and probably wound't understand, but sometimes just and ear is all people need.   

"It doesn't seem like you're doing too well though. What are you getting all sentimental about? Is it just that? Or is something else bothering you?"

"I'm doing alright. That's actually what I came to tell you. I'm starting to finally get my head right and get my thoughts together. I'm starting to realize how important school is now and how hard I need to be working to do well. I actually paid attention in flying today and didn't try to tease anyone off their brooms. I even flew a bit this time."


"You did," He smiled and leaned his head against his hand on the edge of his chair, "I watched during my free period from my window. Looked like you were getting the hang of it pretty well. A few more weeks and you'll be chasing your brother out of the sky." Ugh, he hoped not. There was something about his distaste for Jocks that made him fearful of Lucas' sweet nature. Though, the boy wouldn't change much he had to wager, Lucas enjoyed to laugh too much to ever take such a thing as a sport too seriously.

"It doesn't seem like you're doing too well though. What are you getting all sentimental about? Is it just that? Or is something else bothering you?"

He pressed his head to the side to regard the boy with a warm smile, his concern made guilt swell up inside him, and he made quick work of his thoughts to reassure him that nothing was going to happen.

"Just missing my family is all. Don't have too much of them left, if any at all. Even though they are big and there are many. We just...well went down different paths." It wasn't far from the truth, but it was all he was willing to admit. For now. "I think about them often." He gave in to the arm of the couch, very much liking the way it curved to support his weight.

"I'm glad you are feeling better. I can tell. All the treats you have been getting from Miss Knight's family must help hmm?" He grinned at the suggestion knowing it would bring a blush to the boy's cheeks, "Being around friends and people who care about you." Gale wasn't liked, not by many of the students and especially not by the staff, he was awkward and strange. His social skills needed improvement, but past that he was a loyal friend.

"Ignore me, Lucas. Even grown ups just have bad days."

" A few more weeks and you'll be chasing your brother out of the sky."

"I don't know about all that," Lucas said with a laugh. "Emeric is great at flying. He'll probably make it to the quidditch team when he's able to. I don't care much about it. I'll cheer for him and all, but I don't want any part of all that mess. It's a little too violent for me and there's so much going on. I can barely keep up with it honestly."

Quidditch. Who in their right mind came up with such a thing? There were too many more interesting things to do in a day than fly around looking for a ball and a marble. And those things that came flying at you? It seemed like they always targeted someone's head! No thank you. That wasn't for Lucas. Getting hit in the head too many times and falling off your broom from that high had too many risks. He needed all of his brain cells if he was going to be an auror. He couldn't afford to have his sense knocked out with such a foolish thing.

When the professor started talking about his family, Lucas leaned back in his chair and looked down a bit. He still thought about his mom all the time. He didn't know if he would ever get use to being without her. It didn't seem like he would at least. His siblings were there and all, but it wasn't really the same.

"I understand that. I think about ma a lot. I miss her. I really wish none of this had happened," he said with a sigh. He looked up at his professor again. "Can you not find them and visit or anything? I would visit ma if I could."

"All the treats you have been getting from Miss Knight's family must help hmm?"

Lucas' face flushed and he couldn't help the childish grin that covered his face. He did like Sophia. He didn't really want to admit it, but he -like- liked her. She was so pretty and so smart he couldn't not like her! When he first got a gift from her parents, he didn't know what to do. He thought they hated him and didn't want her to have anything to do with him. He still wasn't sure if the gifts were their way of saying they approved or if they were just feeling sorry for him. He knew Sophia had told them what happened. She told her parents everything. It felt good though. It was nice getting presents again and feeling cared for.

"It... has helped a bit. I'm not really sure of what to think about it all. It feels weird getting gifts from someone that isn't family, you know? I don't know if that makes sense or not, but... I don't know. It's odd." If they were gifts from Sophia herself, he didn't know what he would do! He would have to find something worthy of her and that would be difficult to do.

"Ignore me, Lucas. Even grown ups just have bad days."

"I know grown ups have bad days. Ma use to have a lot of them and she was almost unbearable on her really bad ones. You don't have to be all alone though. You've listened to me for a while now about all the stuff that's been going on and you've helped me through it. You've helped me a lot more than you know, Professor. I don't know if I would have made it this far without you being here. I'm really really thankful for all you've done for me. I don't know if there's any way that I could ever repay you. If... you need to talk or anything... I know I'm young and I may not understand all that's going on in grown up world and all... but I can at least listen to you. If you need to get anything off your chest, you know? I may be a student, but you've acted like more than a professor with me before. I can be more than a student for you sometime, if you need me. Even if you just want me to sit with you and hold your yarn while you knit so you don't have to be alone."

Lucas smiled. He hoped he could cheer the professor up a bit. It would only be fair for everything the professor had already done for him. He knew they wouldn't be friends or anything. Not while he was still in school. But he could at least let the professor know that he was there for company if need be.

"I'm not a big fan of Quidditch either," But Gale put away the little tidbit about Emeric, who he just could never gauge liked him or not. He didn't have Lucas' outgoing nature that was for sure, and seemed much more serious. He also certainly didn't wear his emotions like flags as Lucas did, and the moment the boy put his head down Gale instantly regretted bringing up the topic of family.

I understand that. I think about ma a lot. I miss her. I really wish none of this had happened," … 'Can you not find them and visit or anything? I would visit ma if I could."

"It's not that easy, honey. Not with my family. They never stay the night in the same place.Or if they do it's never long enough. They sleep in caravans and under the stars. It's impossible even for the Ministry of Magic to find them. I was just one year older than you when I found that out the hard way." He smiled at the boy watching him, knowing that no matter how hard it got he would never let that fate befall his students--any of them. He waited until every student left the platform of the train station each time they went home just to make sure they all were picked up.


When the topic switched to Sophia's family Gale gave a nod as he understood. No matter how many times he tried he could never get used to simply accepting a gift from Arthur's family growing up. Even if it was for his betterment and for the image of the family, it still felt wrong to not work for the item in return, so he helped out around the estate at best he could. He cleaned and cooked, and even knitted for the family. It wasn't long before he became more a part of the staff than his adopted family, but Gale was still thankful.

"I do know, but you must write back a thank you every time they send you something. Have you been doing that?" Gale pushed from the couch to get his pen and paper, "Families like that say they don't expect it, but with Sophia's father being who he is, I would imagine he would expect you to understand proper etiquette." He handed the boy the pen and paper as well sat a few Muggle magazines in front of him. Each of them of different real estate that he would get to in a minute.

"I don't need you to hold my yarn sweet boy, just keep me company." Gale laughed lightly when the boy offered, and instead of taking his seat on the couch he sat with his legs crossed at the table, "I appreciate the offer, and I would take you up on that if you were not carrying such a weight already. You just worry about classes." It wouldn't be right to talk about his issues, especially when it came to love--one that Lucas didn't understand. Not yet. Someday. But not yet.

"But I will say this, a little change in plans has me looking for a house on my own. Tell me," He pushed the papers in front of the boy, "I'm torn. Between living in the city or living outside it. After being here in this castle for so long I really enjoyed the city apartment I had over the holiday. You did too, but something like that is out of my budget forever. But what about this," He pointed a townhouse out along the row of the older side of London.

"Or something like this?" The next was a quiet little cottage style home out in the countryside, "Or another option? If you would have it."

"I wouldn't mind sleeping under the stars sometime. I did last summer some and I loved it. Rhys had told us that he was going to take us boys camping last summer and leave the girls with Ma... but Ma had a rough summer and we didn't get to go. I just went outside a couple times when it was warm and slept in the yard. It would be cool to do something like camping sometime though."

Lucas had wanted so badly to go camping that summer. The thought of sleeping under the stars in the middle of the woods sounded like a lot of fun. He looked out the professors window at the stars twinkling in the sky. He didn't think he'd ever be able to go now. Things would be too difficult with the two younger girls. He didn't think they would be able to find a baby sitter for them either for a trip like that. He looked back to the professor and felt bad for him. Lucas' family was a little split up at the moment, but at least he had some of them close.

"Maybe you'll run into them one day and you can have a big reunion. I bet that would be interesting to see," he said with a slight laugh. If the professors family was anything like him, it would certainly be a sight!

"I've written to them," he said taking the paper and pen. "I've thanked them many times and told them that I appreciate the gifts and such. I also told them that it wasn't necessary but their kindness wasn't unappreciated."

Lucas wondered what happened that was causing the professor to look for a place of his own. He had assumed that he and Chaz were going to look for a place together. He knew the flat was expensive and Gale had told him that he was just borrowing it for the holiday. Was some of his sadness from that? He wasn't sure but he didn't want to press the issue and risk upsetting the professor any more. He looked at the magazines that were placed in his hands. Why was Gale asking him? He guessed the professor was just unsure and wanted someones opinion and it was no secret that Gale wasn't exactly liked by many people at the school.

"I like them both, actually. They both have different things. With the townhouse you would be close to the city and wouldn't have to travel far for things that you needed, but privacy would be a little hard to come by. In the country you would have the privacy, but you would also have to travel farther for things. Then in the city there are arcades and things for fun, but in the country you can go outside and have fun and play and run around and go in the woods and stuff. If there's a farm close by too then you could play with the animals. I guess... I would go for the country place. There would be more room and I'm not use to having a lot of room to move around and do things. The choice is yours though. It would be your house."

"I wouldn't mind sleeping under the stars sometime. I did last summer some and I loved it. Rhys had told us that he was going to take us boys camping last summer and leave the girls with Ma... but Ma had a rough summer and we didn't get to go. I just went outside a couple times when it was warm and slept in the yard. It would be cool to do something like camping sometime though."


"You would have loved living with my family then. It was like a camp every day. I enjoyed it, for the most part. Mostly because it was all I ever knew, but my first year here at school; with solid ground beneath my feet. Lucas, I couldn't imagine going back. I made my dad's life hell that first summer back. I was so unhappy." He laughed a little at what a brat he was, and got a rather distant look on his face before he continued, "Suppose that is why he wasn't there to get me after my second year." Oh, it hurt to think about that now, more than he could ever imagine, because he mostly blamed himself. However, he didn't think his daddy would ever just leave him, but it certainly was a great way to humble a rather spirited child.

"Maybe you'll run into them one day and you can have a big reunion. I bet that would be interesting to see,"

"Oh, it would be for sure. And maybe, though I've ran into them a few times. It's just...well, not something you want to be part of anymore. But oh how they would love you." Gale was pleased that Lucas was writing back to the Knights, it made him proud to know he had such good manners. At least his parents taught him that much, though all of the Trumble children were well behaved.


"I like them both, actually. They both have different things. With the townhouse you would be close to the city and wouldn't have to travel far for things that you needed, but privacy would be a little hard to come by. In the country you would have the privacy, but you would also have to travel farther for things. Then in the city there are arcades and things for fun, but in the country you can go outside and have fun and play and run around and go in the woods and stuff. If there's a farm close by too then you could play with the animals. I guess... I would go for the country place. There would be more room and I'm not use to having a lot of room to move around and do things. The choice is yours though. It would be your house."

Gale grinned listening to Lucas ramble and argue with himself over which one he would prefer, and he just watched the boy a moment enjoying how much brighter and happier he seemed. It was good to see that return, and he hoped it lasted.

"I agree with the country setting, but at the same time. I'm rather fond of seeing films. I like going for walks in the city, and being able to just hop on down the row to a store. I always thought I'd like a country cottage or even a huge treehouse, but after the time in the city over the holiday I really enjoyed it." Gale opened one of the magazines to look again,

"I could do both, just on a smaller scale. And I want good sized house, with at least 5-6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a kitchen I can cook in. If I did that in the city, it would have be a major fixer upper, but it seems the country has a good deal of move in ready houses. Though I could get a goat...I do like goat cheese." He pondered over a mini-farm type house, that was on page 3. "And chickens..." Gale pulled out his little silver glasses and put them on the end of his nose, looking rather nerdy as he always did when getting lost in a book, and with his legs tucked under him he smiled back at Lucas.

"Maybe when the weather warms up, I'll take you all camping in the forest for a little extra credit. It's one of the best places to get some practice in. Use your charms in real life, and not just a classroom. Think Thales would survive the night?" He had his doubts.

"Suppose that is why he wasn't there to get me after my second year."

Lucas felt even worse for his professor now. Sure his ma was away and Rhys was busy with the girls, but he know that Rhys would be there when the semester was over. He would be there to take him and his brothers home. It may not the same and it may not be the home that he would want to go back to, but he wouldn't be abandoned. His problems seemed to not matter as much now. It had to have been a long time since the professor had been in school, but it obviously still bothered him a bit.

"Professor Kesali... I may be out of line saying this... but I don't think you being a brat would cause your dad to not come get you. I'm a brat a lot. Probably a lot more than I should be. I'm a pain to my siblings and ma and Rhys use to get onto me all the time for pushing too far sometimes. I know they wouldn't abandon me though. I'm sure it would have to be something other than that. Kids are brats. It happens. Parents put up with them though and discipline them in the right way. They wouldn't have left you for something small like that. Something else must have happened."

He couldn't help but smile at the thought of the professors family liking him. He knew what it was like to be part of a big family. Getting all of them to like you was quite a feat.

"I could do both, just on a smaller scale. And I want good sized house, with at least 5-6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a kitchen I can cook in. If I did that in the city, it would have be a major fixer upper, but it seems the country has a good deal of move in ready houses. Though I could get a goat...I do like goat cheese." He pondered over a mini-farm type house, that was on page 3. "And chickens..."

"It could be fun to do a fixer upper. You could make it how you would want it so it would be perfect for you. I helped Rhys remodel the kitchen. It was a lot of fun. We got to pick out the paint and put down the tile and cut the wood for the counter. It was really cool to do stuff like that and do stuff with my hands. Rhys doesn't have much magic so he does a lot the normal way. It's really fun, I think. Doing the country thing would be fun too. I like goat cheese alight. And if you got chickens then you could have eggs all the time. Fresh eggs like that are amazing."

"Maybe when the weather warms up, I'll take you all camping in the forest for a little extra credit. It's one of the best places to get some practice in. Use your charms in real life, and not just a classroom. Think Thales would survive the night?"

"I would love to go camping, Professor! That would be so much fun! Extra credit or not I think it would be so much fun! It would be interesting to use charms in real life too. I want to see how good I can be when put on the spot. I'm not sure about Thales. I mean, we haven't talked about doing anything like that before. I can always ask him though."

Lucas' face was bright thinking about camping. Going out in the woods and sleeping under the stars? It sounded so great and he knew the professor wouldn't lie to him about taking him or let him down. It was nice to feel like there was stability and that he could really depend on someone. He really felt like there was nothing to worry about here.

"Lucas you are far too sweet to ever be a brat, I couldn't imagine the word associating with you. Trust me, I was a huge brat. I used to kick the shins of my father's men when I didn't get my way. I stole things all the time. Especially pretty things, and blamed it on others," Gale grinned thinking about what a horrid child he really was, but still Lucas was right. Jean-Luc loved him, very much, and wouldn't have just left him. However, it hurt so very badly to even think about, and he was glad when the subject changed.

"I love fresh eggs, and really tall trees. So it's settled then. I guess too I could always get a car as well, but those things scare me to death. Muggles drive them...like animals!" He would get an old aries k-car, and totally end up like some old woman who couldn't see over the steering wheel.

Lucas' mouth went a hundred miles per hour, and Gale could only grin as he watched his excitement. Oh, how happy it made him to see this boy back to his normal self.

"We could make tents and everything," He laughed lightly as he pulled his feet up under him when the topic switched to camping, and half flipped through the book in an attempt to help ease the next question,

"I don't think Miss Knight would find much fun in that hmm?" He looked up at the boy with a coy grin, "Think you can go a few days without talking to her?"

"I can't wait to learn to drive. Rhys let me drive around the house a few times and it was a lot of fun. He was going to let me drive around the neighborhood this summer but... I'm not sure I'll be able to now. It'll be okay though. Maybe one of my older siblings can teach me or something. Then again I -am- only eleven so I guess i shouldn't be too worried about driving yet. I'll ride around with you if it'll help you feel a little more comfortable. I bet you look odd in a car though. Just because I've never seen you in one."

Lucas blushed when the professor brought up Sophia. It was no secret he liked her and he had told the professor a bit about it. He knew he didn't really need to be thinking about girls right now. He was young. It didn't change the fact that his heart would flutter a bit when she was around.

"I don't think she would like it too much. She's okay with hiking and stuff, but I don't think she would like sleeping in the woods and all. I'll be fine not talking to her. She's not my girlfriend or anything," he said flipping through the magazine again to distract himself and hopefully hide his flushed face a bit.

"I can't wait to learn to drive. Rhys let me drive around the house a few times and it was a lot of fun. He was going to let me drive around the neighborhood this summer but... I'm not sure I'll be able to now. It'll be okay though. Maybe one of my older siblings can teach me or something. Then again I -am- only eleven so I guess i shouldn't be too worried about driving yet. I'll ride around with you if it'll help you feel a little more comfortable...

"How about when you are 17, we just buy you a car of your own and you can drive me back and forth to town?" He grinned thinking about that, but continued on when the topic turned to Sophia.

"I'll be fine not talking to her. She's not my girlfriend or anything,"

"Is that so?" Gale gave him 'the look' across his book, "I see. Then I suppose it wouldn't please you to know that I'm more than willing to offer a few of my rosa berberifolias or even the bellis simplex to try and persuade her to the Valentine's dance?" Keep the boy's mind on happy fun things like camping, cars, and girls. The plan was bulletproof. 

Lucas couldn't help but laugh at the thought of him driving the professor around. The picture in his head was hilarious. He saw himself driving down the road listening to whatever music he would have on while Gale grimaced at it. He didn't think their music taste would be too common. The windows would be rolled down and Gale's hair would be flipping about, wrapping around his face. And a convertible would make it worse! The poor professor didn't know what he had just gotten himself into.

"Sure, Professor. I'll be your personal chauffeur no problem! I'll drive you anywhere you need to go!"

He blushed again thinking about Valentine's Day coming up. He hadn't even thought about what he was going to do. Knowing Sophia, she would want to do something because she was a girl and all, but she probably didn't at the same time because she was too young to think about boys and such. And her father would have a fit if they were to be seen dancing together again. That much he knew for sure.

"No offense, Professor, but I think it would take a little more than some pretty flowers for Sophia to want to do anything with me for that day. I'd end up messing things up anyway. I always do. It never fails. She may get upset with me if I don't ask her to the celebration though. I don't understand girls. I definitely don't understand Sophia. I -do- want to get her a gift or something. Maybe a necklace? Or a bracelet?" He sighed again as he shut the book. He leaned back in the big chair and looked at the ceiling. "I don't think I could find something good enough for her though. Her dad has tons of money and can get her lots of really nice things. But maybe..." It seemed as though a light went on in his head. He looked at the professor with big sparkling eyes. "I could charm something for her! I could get her something and make it super special and super unique just for her! Think you could help me, Professor?!? Please?!?"

"Lucas, I have never had an understanding of girls," He thought maybe this would get a little out of the normal, but continued anyway, "And I could see where Sophia would be a hassle too, but if you want something bad enough I'm sure there are ways around her father's ridiculous expectations of her." He doubted Lucas would be good enough either, but he kept that to himself.

"I think charming something for her would be a great idea, but before you do. We have a whole month, why don't you ask her very subtly what she might be interested in. I don't see her wearing much jewelry, but she does seem to enjoy ribbons for her hair. Perhaps you could charm her one that won't untie, or maybe one to sparkle?" He really wasn't very good at this,

"Perhaps ask her sister first too what she thought? Use your sleuthing to make it a case hmm? In the mean time I'll start keeping my eyes out for clues as well?"