So Cold
James hated portkeys. It felt like a hook had embedded itself in his navel and pulled him backwards through his own body while spinning uncontrollably in every direction. It took every ounce of willpower not to throw up when they landed. Willow was not so fortunate. Tara held it together which was admirable.
“That was extremely unpleasant.” Willow declared rinsing out her mouth as Lily vanished the vomit.
“It is rather.” Lily agreed. “I’d say you get used to it but I’m not sure that’s even remotely true.”
“Where are we?” Willow asked now she had a chance to look around. They were standing in a small access lane that ran behind what smelt like a brewery.
James checked the map Monty had given him that morning. “We’re behind Kossuth Utca. The university is about a mile and a half north of here on Akadamia Utca. We’ve been allocated rooms in one of the student buildings for the three days of the conference and then we’ve got rooms in one of the hotels nearby for another few nights if we want or need them.”
“Monty’s being awfully generous.” Sirius commented.
Remus chortled. “I suspect Monty has managed to get the ministry to pay for it given that some of us are actually here to attend the various sessions.”
“Right. So you three do the boring stuff, while we have fun exploring the city. Is that plan?” Sirius asked innocently.
“Drinking, dancing, dicing. I like the sound of that.” James agreed as he put the map away and slipped his arm through Sirius’s. “Let’s go register and then find some dens of vice.”
“Just remember what your father said about flirting.” Lily admonished with mock seriousness.
“Sirius doesn’t count as flirting. Do you love?” Said James planting a sloppy kiss on the shorter man’s perfectly coiffed head.
“Oi. Watch the slobber. I took ages to get my hair right this morning.”
“He did too.” Remus agreed. “Had to do it twice I believe.”
Sirius blushed but ignored the comment. Willow giggled and slipped her hand into Tara’s. She had no idea on the protocol here, then decided she didn’t care any more than James appeared to. It was wonderful to have this much freedom from the judgment she often felt at home.
“I think I’m going to miss this bunch.” Willow said to Tara as they wandered up the hill towards the stately looking university buildings.
“Me too.” Agreed Tara. “I’m not going to miss the cold though. It must be down in the low thirties right now.”
“Here,” said Willow casting a heat spell on them both. “Better,”
“Wow. Your magic is heading back towards epic levels again.” Tara said, torn between admiration and worry.
Willow squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. I’m learning legitimate and useful spells from Effie and Lily. And ways to keep control. No black magic involved. They offered to teach you as well.”
Tara nodded ruefully. “I know. I like my brand of magic and after what we learnt at the Watchers library last month I’m not sure I want to try anything stronger or more formal.”
Willow nodded. Tara had been very shaken by the confirmation her father was right about the demon heritage, even though her mother and all the women in her family had only ever practiced herbal lore and basic nature magic. “Do you still want to go to the conference or would you prefer to hang out with boys and ‘investigate’?” Willow asked.
Tara laughed. “You’re right. I’m not sure how much investigating that pair are going to do without Remus or Lily to nudge them along.” She paused and stared thoughtfully around her. “I’d like to do the conference. I’m hoping there’s stuff here I can learn and bring back to the women’s clinic Dawn opened just before we left.”
“Do you think they’ve noticed we’re gone?” Willow asked
“Depends on when we get back I suppose.” came Tara’s practical reply.
Willow smiled. “I love you”
Tara met Willow’s gaze. “Love you too Will.” They stood for a moment before Tara realised how far behind they’d fallen. “Uh. We need to run to catch up.” She said. So they did.
——
Lily loved the conference. There were speakers from all parts of the wizarding world and a range of topics to choose from. Where she and Tara focused on human physiology, potions and herbology, Remus naturally found himself drawn to the care of magical creatures. There was even a session devoted to working with werewolf packs and gaining a greater understanding of lycanthropy. By the end of day two, the three of them had completely forgotten why they were in Budapest in the first place.
James and Sirius were not much better. After touring the marketplace and eating their way through every sweet treat the vendors had to offer, they had discovered the home of the national Hungarian quidditch team. Willow, laughing at their enthusiasm, had left them to stare longingly and lovingly at the rings in the sky and bleachers mounted twenty feet in the air while she went in search of rare books. By the end of day one, Willow had purchased a number of new books, thanks to Sirius, while the boys had managed to secure a date with the quidditch captain and coach to practice their skills with one of the best chasers in the world.
“How in all of Merlin’s worlds did you manage that?” Lily had asked when they met for dinner that night.
James grinned. “Flirting.” He said. “Apparently dark skinned wizards are rare in these parts.”
“Really? I’ve noticed a large number of swarthy wizards while we’ve been here. Some are even rather handsome,” Sirius swatted his boyfriend on the arm. “It’s okay love, I’m only enjoying the view.” Remus chuckled and Tara almost choked on her drink.
Now James and Sirius were standing nervously at the edge of the pitch waiting for the practice session to start.
“Merlin’s balls.” Sirius breathed.
James swung his head around. The entire Hungarian team had turned up to train. “This is going to hurt.” James couldn’t wipe the giant grin off his face. “And I don’t care one bit.”
Willow, who had decided to come and watch, couldn’t help laughing. This might actually be more fun than she’d been warned, and tucked the book she’d brought back into her pocket.
“” A young voice said from behind Willow.
Willow turned. “Hello.” She ventured
“Hello. American?”
Willow nodded. A young girl of maybe twelve or thirteen stood beside a much older woman.
“Nagyanya, uljunk le.” Said the girl “Would you like join us?” She asked Willow in halting English.
“Thank you. How do we get up there?” Willow pointed to the stands hovering about them.
The girl giggled. “Lift.” She said pointing to giant platform resting on the ground, “Nagayanya.”
Willow followed the girl and woman she assumed to be a grandmother onto the platform which rose smoothly to the stands. The three sat on the Bleachers in comfortable silence as James and Sirius joined the team in the air. Willow was fascinated watching a full team passing the quaffle, hitting and dodging bludgers, and trying to catch the golden snitch.
“I Maja. Why you here?” Asked the girl as James caught the quaffle, dodged Sirius’s bludger and raced for the goal. He was good.
“I’m Willow. My friends are up there. I thought I’d watch. What about you?”
“My grandmother, she played with Romani team. My brother play with this team. My sister play with Romani team.” Maja replied before adding shyly “I play with school team.”
“I’ve never seen quidditch before. It looks fun.”
“The best.” Maja beamed. “Pardon please,” Maja tilted her head towards her grandmother as the two of them had a rapid conversation in Hungarian. Maja nodded.
“Grandmother says; dark boy will travel far but must lose to win; snakes are hidden in heated pools; the way home is the way you came; the castle is the key,” Maja looked at Willow confused.
“The last two I agree with. The other two I don't know.” Willow met the clear gaze of the old woman. She could feel the hazel eyes searching for something though she didn’t know what. “Thank you.” She said
“You. You learn. Return. Make peace.” The old woman stated in a very heavy accent. “Remember your people.”
Up in the sky, Sirius had taken a breather. It had been years since he’d played competitively and he was more out of shape than he’d realised. James was doing drills with the other chasers and the keeper. And still beaming. Sirius really hoped James would make a team at the tryouts next month. watching him, there was no doubt that this was his first and greatest love. Sirius felt a nudge as a bludger bounced gently off his arm.
“Stop watching boyfriend.” said one of the beaters, Csilia, Sirius remembered. “Bajnok wants to know who pretty lady is?” Csilia asked
“Not my boyfriend,” Sirius responded automatically swinging around to look across at the stands “Willow is a friend from America. Our friends are at the university this week.”
Bajnok nodded. “Sister at university. Studies wizard law.”
Csilia had turned back to watch the chasers again. “Does your not boyfriend always act so ..” she waved her arms around “happy? He seems to make many friends.”
Sirius laughed. “Yes. He does.”
“Does he have a girlfriend? Is it Willow?” Csilia continued.
“No. James doesn’t have a girlfriend at the moment.” Sirius grinned at Bajnok who was gazing at Willow, almost star struck. “Sorry Bajnok, Willow does.”
Bajnok’s shoulders slumped. Then he shrugged. “No matter. I make friends with American girls.” He said and zoomed over to say hello.
“Come on. Let’s go join the rest of the team.” Said Csilia. “Don’t worry. Bajnok is gentleman. Likes all things American. Is hoping he can get visa to play with a team there.” She added seeing the brief flash of worry on Sirius’s face.
“In that case, he’s in for a treat.” Sirius replied, and zoomed off with Csilia.
An hour and a half later, the boys landed hot and sweaty. James beamed at Willow as she descended with Maja and her grandmother. “What do you think of quidditch now?” He called.
Willow laughed. “It’s definitely far more interesting than any muggle sport I’ve ever watched,”
“How was your conversation with Bajnok?” Sirius enquired after Willow had said goodbye to her companions.
“Good. I think he was disappointed I didn’t know anything about American quidditch teams but perked up when I told him about Californian beaches.” Willow said as she came over to them. “He also invited us to a gathering tonight. Apparently a great English wizard is giving a lecture on the future of magic in a modern world.”
James cocked an eyebrow. “Did Bajnok know the name of the is wizard?”
Willow shook her head. “All he could remember was that the Englishman called himself Lord V something.”
The three friends looked at each other. James broke the silence with a sudden laugh. “I knew playing quidditch today would be a useful activity.”
Sirius batted him on the arm. “Tosser. You did not. We’ll go right?”
“Let’s talk about it with the others. I didn’t make any promises, but Bajnok wrote down the time and place in case we decided to go along.” Willow said.
“Excellent idea. In the meantime I need to shower and change.” James declared.
“You both do.” Willow agreed. “Walk or can I side along back to the uni?”
“Side along” Sirius and James said in unison and off they popped.
——
Regulus stood at the back of the hall with Pandora watching the crowd. It had been a tedious few days negotiating business deals, meeting various partners, attending pointless business meals, and he was bored. As promised Regulus had taken Pandora to meet the dragon research team where she’d promptly abandoned him and met all the magical creatures staff she could find. That had made him smile as he’d headed for yet another meeting. Regulus and Pandora had both heard about the Englishman giving a lecture tonight from different sources, and curious, decided to check it out.
“Regulus,”
“Hmm”
“It’s been bothering me. Why did we apporate to muggle Budapest when you know magical Buda so well?” Pandora asked, keeping her voice low despite the hum of noise around them.
“My mother.” Regulus responded as quietly. “I don’t trust her not to have several spies watching me and I wanted to enter unobtrusively.”
Pandora nodded. It made sense. While they had had breakfast together, this was the first public event they had attended together since they arrived three days ago. Not that Pandora had minded. Working with the researchers had been fascinating. It was so rare to be able to talk about magical creatures no else took seriously. She slipped her hand into Regulus’s and squeezed. This was far more fun than the trip to Cornwall. And it should prove to be as fruitful. Pandora heard the sharp intake of breath even though Regulus never moved. Quickly she scanned the crowd. Ah. James. Good. That spark was still there.
Everyone had decided to come along to see the Englishman. Out the front of the hall James had been spotted by the quidditch captain. Tall, with cropped red-blond hair and freckles, Danika Bene also stood out in a crowd, and had been thrilled to see James and his friends. Bajnok and Csilia were there some of their friends and instantly adopted the others. James and Dan led the large group into the rapidly filling room.
“Why are they here?” Regulus hissed under his breath. He’d not only seen James, but the rest as well. “And why are they with members of the Hungarian quidditch team?” James and Dan made a striking couple causing something to seethe within him.
“Doesn’t James play quidditch?” Pandora asked innocently.
“Extremely well.” Regulus conceded. ‘Like everything else.’ He added to himself as an unbidden memory of James in bed flashed by. He mentally sent it back through the wall he had built to protect those memories and shook himself sternly. ‘Focus. No time for distractions.’
Pandora studied her friend for a long moment. Hmm. This was going to be … well something. She wasn’t sure what. Too many conflicting messages zooming through the air. She decided to take a backseat and let them coalesce at will. Pandora had also spotted Lily. Unbeknownst to anyone else they had arranged to meet later that evening after running into each other at the university earlier in the day. Pandora smiled at the sheer joy on Lily’s face when they saw each other. It was pure and unexpected and beautiful. Pandora had returned it wholeheartedly