Peyton strolled down the cobbled street of Hogsmeade, Nicholas at his side. He had no real destination in mind. Had this been any other trip to Hogsmeade he likely would have been heading to the Three Bromsticks for a pint or maybe even over to Honeydukes for a sugar high. The unfortunate fact was, this was not just any Hogsmeade trip. This was their last, not just their last for the year but their last perhaps forever. After graduation they'd all be heading off to their own Adult lives. Sure, there were plenty of people he'd keep in touch with but he was most likely to stay with Berkeley in Diagon for a while until he got his own place. Or until he got signed to a Qudditch team, then who knows where he'd be living. This was the last time they got to be carefree teenagers roaming the Wizarding Village.

The weight of it all was further compacted by the news that had exploded in the Great Hall that morning. The death of a Grandfather he barely knew wasn't really the problem. It was everything else that came with it. He was forced to watch just how grand the scope of his family was from the outside. There were kids in every house, in nearly every year sharing the grief of a lost family member without the slightest inkling he was one of them. He hadn't even known their new Herbology Professor was his uncle or cousin or something-inlaw until that morning. It all sort of made him feel small and isolated, not to mention it was a reminder of his father's dark secrets.

He nudged Nick playfully, thankful the Gryffindor had agreed to join him, "Where should we check out first?" Peyton was reminded of the last time they had done anything like this. They had spent an afternoon in Diagon just hanging out, shooting the shit. Of course that had been long before their relationship had changed into . . . Whatever it was their relationship was.

Nicholas was lost in thought as he walked down the street with Peyton.  He knew what he was going to be doing and where he was going to be living and surprising everyone actually seemed to have a plan.  And yet, he still felt like he was about to get pushed off a cliff without a broom.  He should have felt good, other than N.E.W.T.s there wasn't much left up in the air.

Things were generally getting much better.  He was able to sleep all night, and sleep in for that matter, without the aid of any substances. He'd missed breakfast of course, but he'd probably still end up with a solid three meals since they were in Hogsmeade.  Though after five years of trips to the wizarding village there wasn't much left to try.

He looked at the other boy when he nudged him, bringing him out of his thoughts about the impending end of their academic lives, "How about something sweet first?  Or tea.  Or tea and sweets?"

Peyton smiled at the other boy when he made his suggestion, "sounds good. I think the Sleeping Dragon does pastries and it's likely less crowded than Puddifoots." There was no lack of tea shoppes in the cozy Wizarding Village. The Sleeping Dragon happened to be a favourite for Peyton (and not entirely because it was owned by their short lived Herbology Professor)

He continued walking wondering if he should talk to Nicholas about that morning. The Gryffindor had missed breakfast and therefore his family's big 'tragedy'. He wasn't even sure he was ready to talk about it himself. What was there to say? He had only met Arathorn a few times. The man barely registered him as a grandson, it was more along the lines of, 'oh yes you're one of my son's bastards' There was certainly no love lost there but his thoughts were still drawn to his father despite how strained their relationship had become over the last two years.

He decided a lighter topic was in order, "you know where you're living once we move out of Hogwarts for the last time?"

Nicholas nodded when Peyton gave them a destination.  It wasn't far to the tea shop.  And he was probably right about Puddifoot's being overly crowded, especially with couples on one last date before exams took over everyone's lives.  He sneaked a glance at the taller boy next to him, was this a date?  Normally they just got together and fooled around.  Sure there were conversations and such, but that was usually before, after, or between messing around.  Nicholas still wasn't sure what he wanted it to be either.

They walked in silence for a moment.  Nicholas was pretty sure something was going on with Peyton, but he wasn't about to push.  Probably just worried about the impending cliff they were all about to go over.

"You know where you're living once we move out of Hogwarts for the last time?"

Nicholas laughed, "Actually, yeah.  I do. A flat in Diagon with Virgil.  Haven't seen it yet, and apparently a neighbor has a bunch of owls."  He poked the other boy in the side and grinned, "But, I've gotten really good a noise canceling spells."

Peyton didn't bother hiding his blush when Nicholas mentioned his recent proficiency with Silencing Charms. There was always that 'threat' that they'd be discovered and so their frequent snogging and shagging sessions were often heavily warded. Enough of their peers had been caught in the act it was almost a miracle no one had walked in on them yet. Though they hadn't exactly been discrete during the bon fire party.

However he did manage to give the smaller teen a look of shock, "Virgil? Really? I had no idea you two were even friends." Peyton had nothing against the Slytherin Prefect. He was always of the mind that he'd be friends with anyone if they'd have him. He had only really clashed with anyone that called his brother a close friend and even that had petered out over the last two years.

He shrugged, "My cousin Berkeley has a flat in Diagon. She said I could stay there if I wanted. Til I get my own place. Fingers crossed I get signed then I'll be bringing in that sweet Quidditch coin." He laughed lightly. He had a good chance of making a Professional team. If for whatever reason he didn't make it, he had sportscasting to fall back on.  Which would likely keep him in Diagon as well.

He walked into the tea Shoppe and made his order. Once they were given their food and drink he picked a table near one of the large windows looking out on the street. He caught sight of some frantic looking seventh years trying to get as much as possible out of their last Hogsmeade trip. He smirked, "it's like they'll never come back here." Considering the little village was one of few completely Wizarding villages in the UK Peyton always found it crazy to think he'd never have a reason to return.

Nicholas couldn't help but chuckle at the blush overtaking Peyton's cheeks.  He enjoyed that despite all that they'd done, and some of their more public displays, the other boy still blushed.  "We're friendly. I've got no problem with him and as far as I know he's got no problem with me."  And they'd shared some experiences that, didn't really bring them closer but did help them understand some things about each other.

So they'd both be living in Diagon.  At least for a time.  That would certainly be interesting.  And give them a chance to see what they were outside of the confines of the castle.  He wasn't going to ask if Peyton would stay in Diagon...or even London once he signed with a team.  Travel wasn't hard for wizards, but still, it was travel.

They entered the shoppe, and he placed his order after the Ravenclaw and eventually followed him to a table near the window.  "Maybe they won't.  Maybe they are moving to America or India or Australia and never coming back."  He looked out at their yearmates.  It wouldn't be the same though.  Any trip to Hogsmeade wouldn't be about getting out of the castle.  Or replacing his stock of alcohol and gillyweed.  It'd be about going shopping, or meeting someone.  It'd be different.  It'd be adult.

He took a bite of his tea cake and washed it down with a sip of his tea.  He stretched his leg out and leaned it against Peyton's calf. "When are try-outs?  Do you have to go to each team. or is it like one giant try-out orgy?"

Peyton took a moment to consider what Nicholas had said. He had never really thought about just how many of their classmates could be leaving. Although he had a good majority of his own family in Australia, he had never considered leaving the UK himself. He came from a small English town where his family had been the picture of average suburbia - his mother a baker, his father a carpenter. Even with his dreams to become a famous Quidditch Player that never equated to leaving for him. He looked out the large window again. Just how many of them would be leaving? How many of them would he never see again? Would his brother leave, travel the world now that he had an endless fortune and a Multinational Corporation at his fingertips?

The feeling of Nicholas' leg resting against his own brought him out of his thoughts and offered a welcomed distraction. He took a sip of his tea and shrugged a bit, "Coach Cantebury arranged a try out for me with the Tutshill Tornados. Said the competition's tough, plenty of new graduates and even some older players competing for limited spots." He took a bite of his pastry, licking his lips, "If that doesn't work out though, there's a couple of workshops over the summer that scouts come out to watch."

"You got a job lined up, yet?" He knew many of the graduating class had internships secured during the Career Fair or through their Heads of House.

Nicholas quietly sighed in relief that Peyton was trying out for one of the better teams in the league.  He might not be crazy enough to play the game, but he'd grown to enjoy watching, or listening, to the sport in his seven years of being a wizard.  And maybe the other common rooms were the same, but if there was a match, it was on at least one wireless in the Gryffindor tower.  And that was being generous.  And at least the Ravenclaw wasn't specifically trying out for the Cannons.  Though he wasn't about to say anything just in case he ended up with them.

He took a sip of his tea, letting the slightly spicy flavor wash the sweet from his mouth.  "I'm sure they will snap you up.  How could they not?"  He grinned and continued, "And I'm not saying that to get into your robes."

Nicholas smirked around his bite of the cake.  Then Peyton's question wiped the smirk right off.  "Wait, did I not tell you?"  Now that he thought back, it hadn't really come up.  Other topics, or activities, had taken precedence.  "I've got a position with the obliviators.  I've already gotten some of the basic training last summer."  Well mostly basic training in paperwork and coffee fetching.

"Not as glamorous as quidditch star."

Peyton tried not to smirk as he sipped his tea, he didn't want to accidentally spill all over himself. Definitely wouldn't be a very charming start to their first date (was this even a date though? Had they established that?) However there was still that slight tint of crimson to his cheeks. He really needed to work on that, he didn't think it'd go over well with trying out for Quidditch when he couldn't keep himself from blushing at every little compliment, "I don't think you have any trouble getting in my robes." This time the smirk was unavoidable.

"Oh wow, that's awesome." Peyton tried to think back to whether or not he had mentioned it before. He knew the Gryffindor had been working last summer when they ran into each other but he couldn't remember having asked him where he was working. He had been too excited about his own work at the wireless station reporting on Quidditch to think about it. Looking back now it was surprisingly selfish of him. Then again that was long before the pair had ever hooked up and had just enjoyed some summer sun together.

He opened his mouth to ask a question but thought better of it. He was curious how working in the Ministry was going to affect him. He wasn't so sure it was the greatest of ideas to be working so close to where he had been tortured. Then again maybe facing those memories was a good thing. Nicholas seemed to be doing better after all. Perhaps he was moving on. Peyton still had hard time relating to what had happened to the kidnapped students, though he was always willing to help in any way possible.

"Nice easy commute." He winced a bit at his own lame comment, "When do you start?" He had a little time himself before tryouts and he was still a little unsure of where they stood once school was over. Would they be an official couple or would they stick to a more booty call type relationship?

Nicholas just waggled his eyebrows and leered when Peyton said he had no problems getting into his robes.  And he couldn't help but notice that the other boy didn't blush nearly as much as he used to. Nicholas  wasn't quite sure what he thought of that.  The blushing was cute.  The smirk was downright sexy.  And the Ravenclaw wasn't exactly lacking in that department before.

"I think it will be, once I get past the rest of the training."  He was ready to start a job that let him do magic on a regular basis.  His mother still barely understood that Hogwarts hadn't exactly prepared him to work in some corporate desk job.  Not that she hadn't done well with her own.  But, he couldn't imagine a life like that.  Or even the wizarding equivalent of that.  And working with memories wasn't exactly an easy job.  It took skill.

He chuckled at Peyton's comment about the commute.  "I mean, with apparition,"  Nicholas made a popping sound with his lips.  "Early July.  Like a week or two after the summer trip."

Peyton took another bite of his pastry, resisting the urge to wolf the whole thing down, "You'll do fine. You're a smart guy." He said it mostly because it seemed like the right thing to say. However he wasn't really sure how true the statement was. It wasn't as if he thought Nicholas was dumb or anything. He just didn't really pay attention to how he performed in class. The same could be said of any of his classmates. Peyton was only just skating by himself. He had even once lost his position on the Quidditch team due to poor grades. It made him nervous about his future. If he didn't get drafted to a team this summer there really wasn't much else he was good at.

"The summer trip, right." He nodded along as if he had completely remembered the annual trip and not absolutely forgotten all about it, "do you know where you're going yet or are they still keeping it a surprise?"

He sipped his tea and finished off his pastry, "I've never been. The thought of having to spend even more time with my brother . . . " he simply shuddered. Even before he learned of their complicated relationship, Peyton hadn't liked the idea of spending time with the Slytherin. It had been a long while since their rivalry had been physical but it was still unpleasant until only recently. He wondered if the morning's news would affect it at all.

"Wow, a Ravenclaw calling me smart?" Nicholas put his hand to his heart in feigned shock.  "I never thought I'd see the day.  They might kick you out now."  He certainly didn't consider himself stupid, but he'd never thought of himself as book smart.  And he was pretty sure most of Peyton's housemates thought he was an idiot.  But he did well enough.  And his spell-work was excellent.

"I'm not sure.  They gave the dates for the trip and after that I didn't really care," he shrugged.  He missed the previous year's trip because of his internship.  He wasn't going to miss his last chance for one. "One last hurrah."

"I've never been. The thought of having to spend even more time with my brother . . . "

"Well I can't even imagine dealing with that.  Finding a cousin here was strange enough."  He reached across the table for Peyton's hand.  "It would have been fun,"  his smirk made it obvious what he meant by fun, "with you there."  He didn't really understand the animosity between Peyton and Xavier.  But at least in theory, he'd love to find out he had a sibling.  Then again, Xavier was a prat, of course he was a Slytherin so it was only to be expected. 

"If there is a boat this time," which was unlikely given what he'd heard happened last time, "I'll push him over for you."

Peyton gratefully took the Gryffindor's hand. He couldn't stop the blush this time as Nicholas teased what could have been one hell of a vacation for the two of them. He was happy to hear that the older teen was still willing to have fun with him outside of the castle. They were on the brink of their adult lives and currently in an undefined relationship that could go either way. The bit of affection shown made him hopeful that there might actually be a future between them, whatever that future might be.

"Yeah I wish I could have gone, would have been worth it this year." He winked and then chuckled at Nicholas' 'promise', "Please do." He let out a long sigh and ran his hands through his hair, "Can't decided if his big head would cause him to float or if his new fortune would sink him."

He glanced around the shop and leaned over to the table behind them snatching a paper off of it. He placed the Prophet between the two of them and nodded to the headline, "I wasn't sure if you saw it this morning, I don't remember seeing you at breakfast. So, sorry if I've been spaced today. Trying not to think about how to break the news to my Dad that his Father died . . . and left everything to his other son."

Nicholas  smiled, "Oh, he'd sink...wait—what."  But Peyton was already putting a Prophet on the table.  He saw the picture of the pegasuses and then the headline.  He started reading the first few lines...Arathorn Wentworth...passed away.  Peyton mentioned not seeing him at breakfast, and he spoke automatically, "no...I slept in...."

Wait, Arathorn was Peyton's grandfather.  It took Nicholas a moment before he said anything.  "Merlin's beard, Peyton that—"  That what, what could he even say to that.  "I'm so sorry, you should have said something.  Your grandfather...I mean does anyone even know he'd your grandfather?"

Great job, Nicholas, he thought to himself, just what he wanted to be reminded of. Idiot.

"Sorry. I just mean...I'm sorry."  He looked down at the paper, "But I don't think you are going to have to tell him."

It was weird to say but Peyton actually felt good about telling Nicholas. Sure, it wasn't the most ideal situation, dead Grandfather and all but Nicholas was the first person to care how he was feeling. He took the other teen's hand again and tried to give him a reassuring smile, "I'm okay. Honestly."

"I didn't want to ruin our date. It just made me feel . . . Weird." He squeezed his hand, looking down at the table, "I was surrounded by family this morning, all my cousins, some are even friends, freaking out and no one even knows I'm one of them. I can't even tell my sister."

He took a deep breath and looked up with the best smile he could give, "I hope you're right. There's got to be someone in the family that knows my dad's still alive and can tell him instead of me."

"Briar's sister is an Auror, she knows about me, may be the only one, I'm sure she'll tell him." The headstrong Gryffindor was in the same year as them. When Peyton first talked about his complicated family situation he hadn't mentioned being related to the little spitfire.