Andie made her face her own again. Cepheus was keen to turn the conversation topic back to her love life.
"Mum tries to." Andie told her brother. She made a sullen face. "I just ignore her. I say I am too busy with my job. No man wants to marry an auror who is never home. They do not like the thought of their wife being more powerful either. I do not have the time. I would like someone at home eventually. But I like lots of different people at home too. When I want someone. I put on a different face and find someone. I do not think anyone can love this face yet. Not now." Andie shrugged. "It will happen for us both. We do not need to keep looking. You have got Claude to think about."

For how abrupt his sister could be, and for perhaps her lack of poetry in describing how life was, Cepheus had a respect. Andie did not beat about the bush, she spoke her mind and had confidence to. Neither of them were lucky in love lately, and that was yet another reason why dinners together and evenings sprawled on the sofa chewing the fat were needed for them both. In the absence of lovers, friends and siblings provided the chance to be close to another and relax in company.

“I do,” Cepheus admitted, looking down at the black and white cat waiting hopefully for scraps from the table. “And I’m not exactly looking either. Work has rather than a priority for us both. Pity one can’t have both, hmm.” He pushed curry and rice around his plate with his fork. “Mum and Dad were what, well, dad was thirty nine before he married. I’ve still got six years to beat him, and he’s a Department Head.” Good old wizarding lifespans.

“You’re too good for anyone, in my opinion,” he told his sister, “Ri would agree. Nobody’s good enough for our sister, but we’ll trust your judgement when you ask him.” Cepheus glanced up and smirked at his sister, “because we’re certain you’ll do the asking if you find him, or her.”

"Well obviously." Andromeda laughed. "I have standards." She was happy her brothers looked out for her even if they were not as hard as she was. "Let's enter into one of those valentines events next month. Have some fun. If it does not work, I am going out at your twin brother." She drank the last of her beer. "And do not ever measure yourself to dad. You are so much better."

"Thanks Andie," Ceph replied, humbled, "I guess I need to be reminded, since he's been our scale of success from our mother." His lips were twisting into a fond smile. He set his fork down, content with the amount he had eaten. Valentine's day seemed ages away, it had only just been Christmas. What was the harm?

"Alright, deal." He agreed with his sister, "If we're both still single, we'll find one to sign up to and see what happens. But as for you being me - I think I need a lot more beer." He lifted his to his sisters to toast.

End