Thronging, that was what the Leaky Cauldron could be called, Wolfgang decided as he elbowed his way to the bar with his stringy arms which dug well into ribs and the smalls of backs. Moments before he'd announced he would get the first drinks now that the trio had been reunited, just for good measure and to put the other two at ease. Also, he hoped the charmed pin on the lapel of his coat back at the table would work its incanted magic.

Taking advantage of two wizards being distracted by the first pouring a tray full of drinks over the second and his companions, (an accident of course, Wolfgang thought as he slid his wand back up his sleeve) he reached the front of the bar and made appropriate requests for drinks, turning his head away from the soaked drinkers towards the table where between bodies he could see his relatives talking - excellent.

"I expect this is due to the excitement of the Tetra-Wizard tournament." Wolfgang asked his son and his cousin, as he set the drinks down on the table. His hand flounced as he gestured to the crowded pub. As he sat down, he gave the pin on his coat lapel a squeeze, no need for it to remember conversation he was present for.

"Of course the three of us will have to be very careful what we say - being on opposing sides," he gestured to himself and Ignan, "and in the Ministry." He gestured to his son. "Though I don't suppose those ghastly Americans or snivelling French can do any worse this year. Nothing in comparison to good Drumstrang stock - what the three of us are!" He clapped them both enthusiastically on the shoulder nearest him.

"Will Hogwarts be allowing all their students of age to submit for selection, or are the staff pre-selecting as per the other schools, Ignan?" Wolfgang asked curiously.

A drink from Wolfgang Storm, known in the family to be one of the tightest, owing to the fact he worked in finance. Then again, never had Ignan seen the accounts of Durmstrang in such good shape. He was almost entirely sure that Wolfgang showed him no mercy whatsoever shortly before Ignan moved to teach at Hogwarts, partially fuelled by a costly experiment with curses.

"How tight is the security at the Ministry over this Tetra-Wizard then?" Ignan asked Johann as Wolfgang had departed. "Has it got to the level of unbreakable vows, or is it simply a choice of keeping the majority in the dark and keeping close eye on the minority?"

Johann steepled his fingers and folded them thoughtfully.
"I haven't been asked take such a vow, thankfully, it would be almost a little sad of wizarding-kind if one had to promise not to speak on pain of death. Whether that's the pact with the department heads, I wouldn't want to guess. I would hate to think Gabrielle had done something so drastic." Then again, who knew, there had been a few odd things going on around his cousin and boss, including her spending a lot of time with Francis Pepper, an unspeakable.

"I would imagine I will and won't be working on the preparations for the task. They may well prepare some dummy tasks to check for leaks in the Department. Merlin help those people. I've more been assigned to keep the Durmstrang contingent happy, which will," Johann's tone changed to more of a sigh, "mean dealing with Dad, as he's possibly more pushy that Auberon can be. He takes things a bit... far."

"Hmm, yes." Ignan agreed, his eyes drawn to the bar as the noise of cries about a drink being split came through the busy room. "I suspect we will have to be a little more careful in how we speak to Wolfgang for the rest of this year. Much as I respect your excellent secrecy generally, Johann." The Defence Professor's features formed a brief smirk.

"Its no great secret I've got back in time to measure up the competition a little." He admitted, folding his arms and sitting back from the table, "Its what I get paid for. Oh, here he is."

Johann and Ignan looked up politely as Wolfgang approached with the drinks. One each, Ignan had estimated correctly that Wolfgang wasn't insinuating double rounds even though the bar was busy. Tight backside prevailed.

"I expect this is due to the excitement of the Tetra-Wizard tournament." He gestured around them, and Ignan raised an eyebrow, reading that Wolfgang expected the most famous wizarding pub in all of Great Britain to be quiet on an evening - ever.

"Of course the three of us will have to be very careful what we say - being on opposing sides, and in the Ministry. Though I don't suppose those ghastly Americans or snivelling French can do any worse this year. Nothing in comparison to good Drumstrang stock - what the three of us are!" Ignan and Johann both exchanged looks over the table. Wolfgang was trying hard, too hard.

"Will Hogwarts be allowing all their students of age to submit for selection, or are the staff pre-selecting as per the other schools, Ignan?" Wolfgang asked curiously, seemingly oblivious to how unsubtle the previous comments were.

"I have no idea." Ignan replied absolutely honestly. "Last time it was anyone, and Albus Dumbledore trusted the Goblet of Fire to make the appropriate decision."
"And allowed it to be hoodwinked." Wolfgang chimed in.
"True." Ignan accepted with the slightest of shrugs. "But that is a long time past, and I am sure adequate precautions have been taken since to prevent this." He raised his glass.
"To family, and to competition." Ignan proposed a toast, and the three glasses met.

"So who do you anticipate will be the champion from the Durmstrang ship, cousin?" Ignan enquired, fixing his stare very much intently on Wolfgang. "I have already seen several faces I remember clearly from a year ago."

"So who do you anticipate will be the champion from the Durmstrang ship, cousin? I have already seen several faces I remember clearly from a year ago."

Ah it had been good to spend some time with Ignan over the summer - he'd gone out of his way to help the man with his dead house elves and elderly father whose mind had rotted with the years and could no longer be trusted with a wand. It had elaborated on how soft Ignan had become. It was the same sort of feminine sensibilities his son, Johann prevailed these days. There was dressing well, and there was a lack of any women. The latter worried Wolfgang the most. He'd almost go as far as to say he'd prefer Johann to be a werewolf than that[1]

"I'm surprised you can, after a year at Hogwarts. So much has changed Ignan, for the better. Well, they say it was only a matter of time before your dismissal, you weren't towing the line." Wolfgang explained with lack of care. "Hogwarts is such a soft touch, you're better suited to it." He gave Ignan a broad smile that didn't really distill any love or care, rather more predatory interest.

"Auberon has brought a prize collection. I would support any of those students against the other contingents. No question."

Satisfied, he turned on Johann,
"So when am I going to meet your girlfriend, Johann, you say so little about her?"

1.	Homosexual that is, and Wolfgang is homophobic, whereas I am not, so this is purely IC. He's very prejudice in several areas.

In the years of adulthood, and certainly some in his teenage years, Johann had become rather more wise to his father's behaviour. A chronic workaholic, he also shared the family's need for perfection in their work. This had meant Johann as an individual through his academic studies, for which he was partially grateful for. Wolfgang had allowed and encouraged him to learn such a breadth of information he had helped to form Johann as he was now.

Johann hadn't dared tell his father what had been occurring before he'd come over to Britain - partly in shame, and partly because he didn't want the bother of Wolfgang's reaction. His father would only stir up what had seemingly settled back home - though whether they were just waiting for Johann to step foot back there, he wasn't sure. He was in no hurry to go back.

He was grateful for his better relations with Ignan since January - eight months in closer contact had brought better mutual understanding on an intellectual and family relationship. With the recent confusions and odd feelings Johann had been struggling with, it had been comforting, even if he couldn't express them to Ignan - but just to know the man was on his side, and ... seemingly tolerant.

Johann's father, however, dear Merlin. He watched Wolfgang tear a few pieces out of Ignan - finding it amusing, even if neither Johann nor Ignan did. It was only a matter of time before the attention turned.
"So when am I going to meet your girlfriend, Johann, you say so little about her?"

Johann's long fingers allowed him to raise his glass just in time to give him an extra moment to think about how to reply to this question.
"Well, she's very busy." He admitted, trying to avoid Ignan's raised eyebrow across the table. He sighed, "I'm not sure there's much to say these days, Father, I still see her, but she has so much work at St Mungo's its difficult." Word had got back to the family that Johann had stayed with Hannah Bombay for a short time after getting back from France. It had presumably got back through the French cousins on his mother's side, and his father had interpreted that as Johann having some romantic relationship with her.

Well - she had been all over him when drunk, then run off when sober thinking more had happened, only to be relieved it hadn't. Colin had insinuated Johann should almost feel insulted by the relief - that it implied it was not good for a woman to spend a night with Johann. He wouldn't know...

"To be honest, I think we're just best as friends, it happens." Johann replied honestly, not that he had pursued anything other than. But he knew Hannah and Azize had, or had once had something too, and he was all for them pursuing it.

"How long are you staying?" He asked swiftly, turning conversation back.

Johann seemed to spend far too much time thinking about his answer. Wolfgang's eyes narrowed, as he suspected, Johann had let this girl slip away too. He was terribly half-hearted about his relationships. This way he and Camille would never see grandchildren. Perhaps they should have had a second child. It would not have been such a disappointment!

"Well, she's very busy. I'm not sure there's much to say these days, Father, I still see her, but she has so much work at St Mungo's its difficult."

"Yes, I heard she was a healer, I can only hope they meet standards back home, given the tournament." Wolfgang muttered, and looked to Ignan, the older wizard's expression was motionless, and he did not make eye contact, rather looking towards Johann instead.

"To be honest, I think we're just best as friends, it happens."

Wolfgang let out a hiss and shook his head.

"How long are you staying?" He would let this one slide for this time only. Johann had to find a woman and settle down, it was becoming embarrassing. The family were talking. The family weren't meant to talk about your son like that. It was hideous and disgusting.

"As long as Auberon needs me. Though, that shouldn't be too long after things are settled on the boat. We will inspect the living quarters in Hogwarts in due course, they should already have been ready, so slow these British." Wolfgang made a tutting reminiscent of a displeased mother.

"What does it matter, anyway, what time I have here will allow us all to spend a little time together away from the women." Wolfgang's eyes drifted, and he caught sight of someone. "Two minutes." He told both Ignan and Johann, with a hand gesture, getting up. He squeezed the pin on his coat lapel again as he left.

"Girlfriend?" Ignan asked as Wolfgang got out of earshot. "Does he mean your friend Hannah Bombay?" Ignan had heard of her through Johann earlier that year. When he'd been a right mess and had vanished to France, he'd come back and stayed with Hannah for a short stint.

Across the table Johann had landed his face in his hands and was moaning softly. The man's black curls visible above his long white fingers, and his jacket and shirt sleeves sliding back to expose slender wrists.
"Merlin, why does he have to be here?"

"Because he likes nothing better than to be in the thick of it all." Ignan partially sympathised. "But did you really tell him you were seeing Hannah? Did you think he wasn't going to ask to meet her?" He stared levelly across the table at Johann and sighed. His mind reached out towards Johann's - just a peripheral exploration of his thoughts, especially as Johann was showing emotion visibly, it would make it easier to read him.

Since teaching Tapendra, Ignan had put time in while at home to brush up his legilmency skills and his occlumency. Too many people would be probing during the tournament, he amongst them, so he would have to protect himself as well as seek. He had managed to glean from passing comment that Johann had taken no heed to basic occlumency training in the Ministry. Ignan's best guess was that it did not interest him, or more likely, it was one of the branches of magic Johann struggled with. When intellectually everything came easily to someone, they were lazy to apply themselves to areas that took time to grasp unless it was for personal gain or competition. That, and the fact Johann's addiction to sleeping potion showed he had enormous trouble clearing his mind, and resorted to knocking himself out chemically.

Johann's periphery thoughts were full of worries of Wolfgang meeting Hannah, and then how Johann would explain to Hannah what had happened, and that he was incredibly embarrassed about what assumptions his family had made. Ignan, irritated with himself realised he could have made that analysis from being present for the conversation and watching Johann's face bury itself in his hands, so he pushed a little further while Johann had his face obscured.

What if he meets Colin, or Vedir, or worse when I'm there? I have to get rid of him. I have to keep him busy... at least until I can warn them both he's insane.

For an intelligent chap, Johann could be exceedingly thick when it came to interactions with others, especially friends and possible romantic liaisons. However, Ignan's noting of the mention of Vedir made his stomach clench and when Johann lowered his hands and looked up at Ignan, he was surprised to note Ignan was staring at him with great intensity.

"Ignan?"

"Sorry, I was just pondering how best to get rid of him." Ignan explained quickly, blinking and looking away pointedly. Next time, he had to get Johann drunk, that would make it all a lot easier.

"Poison, lethifold..." Johann muttered bitterly, and then shook his head. "No, not really, he's my father, despite his foibles." His shoulders fell and he lifted his drink thoughtfully. "I just appreciate the time away from him. I loved the fact I learned so much from him as a child, and a teenager, but I find it irritating he still interferes as an adult." He shrugged, and pulled his jacket sleeves back down with two short tugs.

"If its not why I haven't got married and provided grandchildren, it'll be why I won't tell him anything about the Tournament. Much as I would love to help you both, its more than my job's worth." Johann explained, apologetic in his tone to Ignan. He'd dearly love to help his cousin, given his position as Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, which traditionally had influence in many areas of a Tournament.

"Why don't people get at you for not having children?" Johann grumbled. "Or do they just see me as a pushover?"

"I realise, and appreciate your delicate position." Ignan assured Johann, finishing his own drink, and sitting back, considering buying another before Wolfgang got back.
"Why don't people get at you for not having children? Or do they just see me as a pushover?"

"Because you are young still." Ignan replied. "And a pushover, yes." He shrugged, and then saw Johann's hurt expression and felt sorry for him. "Oh, in the way you're intellectual and make your business serving others but not commanding them. Its all beating chests and who has the the most scalps in our family is it not? You've never been that way, you take after you mother, and frankly," Ignan explained as he got to his feet, glass in hand, "its refreshing. Another drink?"

For Wolfgang's earlier jibes, he could be missed on this round for the fact he had not drained his drink before abandoning them both. He'd get Johann a double, it sounded like he needed it to contend with his father.

Wolfgang's fingers closed on the lapel of his coat once again before he sat down. Ignan had left the table, leaving father and son alone. His brief interlude to pass a few greetings with a more distant acquaintance had been partially strategic. Wolfgang had been pretty sure the two cousins would have something to say in his absence, and he would hear it all later, how delightful.

"Now, you will answer me this time." Wolfgang spoke immediately, reaching across and seizing Johann's wrist firmly on the table top. "This healer, Hannah Bombay, why have you decided she is only your friend? You know very well that your mother is heartbroken at your disinterest." Father fixed son with a severe stare, resisting attempts from Johann to release the grip.

"I am sick of hearing family and friends talk. Whatever these ridiculous notions in your head are that lead you to show no interest in women must stop Johann, you're a grown man, and my son. I will not have my son..." he could hardly bring himself to express it, "... impure with other wizards." Wolfgang's lip curled with disgust.

"Do you understand me boy?"

"Please." Johann replied to the offer of another drink, and necked the last of his and handed his glass to Ignan thankfully.

Left alone at the table, he let out a sigh and rubbed a temple. Everything had been going swimmingly - work was busy, he could escape and hide in the new Muggle office quizzing Aberdeen and Dree about their new policies if he needed a change of scenery, living with Colin was turning out to be a lot more settled (and snake free, sorry Hannah), and his work with Vedir continued to come in steadily. Even his relationship with Gabrielle had got better now they had some distance.

He glanced up as his father approached the table and instinctively leaned away from him as Wolfgang tugged the coat over the back of his chair and sat down again. Johann anticipated more questions now that Ignan had left them, but not the immediate launch.

For a horrible, stomach twisting moment, Johann was taken back to his childhood on the few occasions his mouth had run away with him, and he'd been cursed. His father's unexpected grip around his wrist was entirely reminiscent of those times.

Son stared at father, gobsmacked for more than a moment, not sure how to answer - unable to honestly. He twisted his arm, but was unable to release himself. For not the first time in his life, he looked forward to Ignan appearing.

"Yes!" Johann hissed in German, "Yes I understand you perfectly, and there has been no impurity!" The back of his eyes pricked with heat. The fact he struggled to grasp exactly how he felt about other people - in friends or more - was not being helped by this added pressure and intimidation.

Johann stared back at his father, and in his periphery vision saw Ignan returning. The flicker of his gaze to Ignan approaching behind Wolfgang was thankfully enough for his father to let go. Johann clasped his wrist protectively and looked away, blinking hard. Not only had it hurt like hell, it had been humiliating.

Two drinks landed on the table, one close to Johann's fingertips of his recently assaulted hand, that he could feel the cold coming off it. He blinked again, cleared his throat, automatically drawing his left hand off his right wrist to cover his mouth, and slid his hands off the table, tugging his shirt down over his right wrist and keeping it under the table while drinking with his left.

Silently, without looking at either of his drinking companions, he made the decision that he would go to all lengths possible to stay well away from his father from this day forth. Lethifold and poison suddenly seemed far more inviting. It was a blessing when Ignan announced he had to leave. Johann made a point of asking the time and agreed he had to leave due to an early start.

As a parting shot, to try and encourage his father not to follow, Johann pointed out someone of minor interest to him in relation to the Tetra-Wizard tournament (feeling awful for subjecting said person to speaking with his father, but desperate) and made his escape with Ignan into the cool late night air of Diagon Alley.

"Bastard." He snapped the moment they were out in the street and aimed a kick at the cobbles in frustration.

It did not surprise Ignan to find Wolfgang would reappear and go directly for Johann. The vicious intent and body language from afar was reminiscent of the family tradition and teaching. Ignan had been away for much of Johann's childhood, so had only come to know him in his early twenties.

There was a huge temptation to drop a drink over Wolfgang, but Johann's eyes flickered and the tension broke as they recognised Ignan was back in earshot. Johann looked very awkward as Ignan placed the drink down beside his younger cousin's fingertips silently, looking from Johann to Wolfgang pointedly. Wolfgang was more concerned at the fact he had not been bought a drink.

The conversation continued rather two sided from then on, Wolfgang and Ignan keeping up the majority of conversation, which Ignan steered carefully about the subjects of politics, finances and British news. These were subjects within Wolfgang's interest, and also safe topics away from Tetra-Wizard details, romantic ties or family. For all his better judgement, it looked to Ignan like Johann might cry at any moment, rather like an overstressed OWL student, or Noriko Wakahisa.

Or better still, over achieving Eirene Antonopoulos. She and Johann had far more in common.

As the drinks were drained, Ignan pulled out his pocket watch and declared he should be off to Hogsmeade. Johann appeared animated suddenly and agreed he should also leave. Before Ignan could suggest further, Johann's quick mind worked and he pointed his father in the direction of another person to irritate. This gave them both a chance to escape with grace.

Outside the air in Diagon Alley was clear. There were a few people about, but once they were a few paces clear, Johann swore loudly (unlike him). Ignan let out a sigh into the summer night air, and gently took Johann's right arm and tugged the jacket and shirt sleeve back.
"A freezing charm for about ten minutes, it'll get rid of the bruises faster." He instructed Johann, handing his companion's arm back with purposeful gentleness.

They progressed down the Alley towards Gringotts. Though it would have been more efficient to floo to Hogsmeade, Ignan had purposely wanted to see Johann was right again. It was rare the wizard shut up. His mouth usually ran away with him.
"It would be wise to warn Hannah and Colin about your father. I wouldn't put him past turning up to talk to Hannah. Much as it sounds like she'd hold her own, given your descriptions of her tenacity, you might not want to run the risk and humiliation."

Johann mutely nodded.
"And the impurities he worries about. Don't worry yourself about. There are worse things a man could do, than to seek pleasure in another." Johann lifted his eyes to regard Ignan with curiosity.

"Good night Johann." Ignan lowered his head, and turning on the spot, vanished.

Moments later, Johann did the same, thoughtful.

Back in the Leaky Cauldron, Wolfgang Storm quickly established the contact his son had suggested had no interest or value. He instead, returned to his own accommodation, unpinned the bug from his lapel and sat down to hear what his two drinking companions had to say in his absence.




END