The pigeons scattered, fighting over the bread someone had tossed, the tough part of a train station baguette. Their cooing and flutters of wings preceded the steady pace of two pairs of feet - one trying to take longer strides, the other considerably shorter to make up for the fact their arms were linked.

"You never come out for a walk with me."
"Are you complaining, because you wouldn't stop telling me to go take a walk all summer, and now I'm here?"
"But that was a long walk off a short pier when you were being an arsehole."
"So complimentary!"
"Well you have been lately."

Three paces passed in silence, words formed, and then three paces more.

"I didn't realise..."
"Figured"
"I ..."

Two paces.

"You agree with me then?"
"That I'm being an arse? No - you're joking right?"
"I'm not!"

Three paces.

"When were you going to tell me, hmm?"
"Tell you what?"
"About you and Arc."

He fell behind half a pace in alarm.

"What about us?"
"Precisely."
"What?"
"I know about you two, Johann."

He stopped abruptly, turned towards her, looking ever so slightly frightened.
"He told you, please tell me he told you?"
"Of course he did."
"Oh thank Merlin for -"
"But why didn't you tell me!"

She scowled up at him, hands on hips. Looking down at her, he swallowed and licked his lips. He knew that look, it was a dangerous one.

"Because it was, it was difficult and Arcturus was so nervous, and the way it happened…" Johann took a shallow breath and looked up above them a moment, like he was trying to think his way out of the situation.
"And you thought I'd be jealous."
"Just a bit. But hardly now…" He remarked, referring to her and Arcturus who were now rather more open about their new comfort in each other, as Johann had witnessed the night before.

"So maybe I would have. I flirted with him first. You were engaged."
"Merlin! Is that the bit you're most upset about? It was a technicality, and ten months ago..."
"But still, he was mine and you stole him. You of all the people, I was speechless."
"That's a first."

The fist landed firmly on his upper arm.

"Fine I'm jealous. I have a right to be. Arc has a sharp mind, good in a crisis, makes potions like a bloody genius and has a nice arse, amongst other things."
"Absolutely true."
"Yes, I'm sure you've seen it first hand."
"The brewing, no, me near potions, he's wiser than that."
"His-."
"No, but can't deny I thought about it. Enjoy it for me."

They shared a smile, his a little bittersweet. She blushed despite herself. She never thought she would ever have such a conversation with the tall lanky thing that used to help her revise, and flitted off round the world so fast she couldn't keep up. Especially not about the same person in the same context. Never would she have believed they had the same taste.

"I'm less jealous now you've said that."
"Well, it's all long over. But please don't mention it to anyone else. There's only a few people who know."
"What do you think I'll do? Write it in the Daily Prophet?"
"Merlin, no. Just, you know, I don't want people to think the worst of him. He doesn't deserve that."
"No, he doesn't."

There was a pause, and Johann looked down at Elixa's newly crossed arms, feeling strangely guilty. She drew a slow breath, shoulders rising, expression worried.

"Joh, I think it would be best if you don't come round for a bit."