Exes and Oh-No's

Julian absolutely knew that no good would come of the fact that he had started drinking in his apartmen before be left to meet his brother in The Leaky Cauldron, but was finding it extraordinarily difficult to care at all. He almost hoped to get kicked out, or to get into a bar fight, or into some kind of trouble that would surely land him in the drunk tank overnight at the Ministry. At least then he wouldn't be spending the night alone.

It was very tempting, now that he knew how to contact her, to see if Nicole wanted to hang out, but even drunk he knew that was a terrible idea. He actually liked her -- she seemed different -- and he didn't think it was smart to let her see him like this, with all of his problems on display for the world to see. No, he'd get over his ex once and for all, without that one particular witch witnessing it. She clearly liked him enough to want to see him again, and even though she was very tough, Julian wasn't stupid enough to mistake that for Nicole not having any feelings. His feelings for his ex wife were more complicated than simple attraction -- there was their child involved, the wish for their broken family to be whole once more. But she clearly had moved on from that version of reality, and now so should he.

It was impressive that he managed to make his way through the crowded pub without knocking into anyone or stumbling. Once her made it to the bar, he placed his order -- not the usual beers. This was an occasion for something much stronger. If he had any recollection of tonight whatsoever, he'd have done it wrong. Julian ordered a pint of the pub's finest fire whiskey, and started drinking it before he even made it to a table. He sat down and glared at everyone around him, waiting for his brother to arrive.

Bastian entered the bar of his own stomping ground, though with no intention of getting sloshed like he normally had.. No, he knew his brother would be here, quite likely intending on not wanting to remember the night. Not that he could blame him he supposed, to have his last hope at fixing thing with Kate dashed.. It was going to be a night.. he knew that..

It didn`t tale him long to spot his brother, siting at a bothe glaring at everyone as if daring them to pick a fight with him... This was gouing to be a long night..

He sat across from his brother and ordered his own drink, he put his bag of research notes beside him. intending to show the Harpers his findings later the next day at the hospital during viisting hours if they let him. For now he had is brother to see to, and make sure he didn`t do anything that landed himself at St. Mungos...

He wasn`t sure what to say to his brother, there were many things he could say.. none of which were very helpful.. Plus he wasn`t one to lecture, would rather hipicritical of him.

`Thank ya for sending the note Juli`he finally ended up saying in there mother tongue, after taking a sip of his own drink.

Julian merely grunted, nodding as he proceeded to take another long swig of his drink. It was going to be a long night.

"How'd it go with you?" he asked, not particularly caring at the moment, but at least aware that this was not Bastian's fault, and attempting to play nice somewhat. Talking about Calixta was not exactly high on his priorities at the moment -- it only reminded him of what a failure his own love life was, and reminded him of Nicole, which made him feel slightly guilty at the moment. He really felt like she'd want him to call her, but there was no way he was going to drag her into this. They didn't know each other well enough for deep dark secrets just yet.

Bastian shrugged "Alright brother" he said motioning for the bar tender to bring his brother another round. At the rate he was going he be done soon. He only really want to thank him. He hadn't need to let him know about Calixta and he did.. so for that he was thankful.

As for this issue with Kate. she was a sensitive topic for his brother. and complicted,.. to complictated for his likeling. He hoped after this thing would be cleared up a little and Julian would finally get over Kate.. in that way of speaking. If he wanted time with Violet he's be more then happy to represent him in court suit.. So Julian could get Garanteed visitation rights.. he missed his little niece after all as well..

"You know why I am here brother.. now drink, rant, yell.. whatever ya want.. though be warned if ya hit me Juli I can hit ya back" he said stating the ground to his purose there. To make sure his brother didn't get drunk out of his mind alone.

"You're not gonna order anything for yourself?" Julian asked, looking affronted. He'd been looking forward to getting piss drunk, but that was no fun to do by himself. For that he could have stayed home. In the old days they would have gotten drunk together, kissed a few pretty girls and gotten into a few fist fights over it -- probably because of the girls. But now things were changing again, and Bastian was leaving him behind. Somehow that realisation didn't cheer Julian up very much.

"I see how it is. Too busy, now. The woman comes home and you go running -- you're too respectable now, is that it? Don't have time for your messed up little brother. You keep your nose clean, now," Julian sneered, poking his brother in the chest. It hadn't taken too long for the alcohol and frustration to play off of each other, but he hadn't planned onto getting into a fight with Bastian. Somehow the words just came pouring out, an angry accusation he didn't really mean at all.

"Let's see how long this one lasts then, yeah? See if she don't go running when she finds all the skeletons in your closet. Easy enough to play the hero now she's a damsel in distress, but what will she do when she meets the real you? Is that what you're scared of, don't wanna drink -- she might find out, might see you with someone else's blood on your robes and reeking of firewhiskey? Might not like you so much, then." He laughed, an angry, barking sound, and finished off his pint, malice gleaming in his eyes.

"You can't play pretend forever, brother. So don't act like you're better than me, 'cause you're not. The whole high and mighty thing is nothing but an act. How long have you been playing the big shot lawyer -- a month, since you met her? Not too hard to go digging, not so far into your past to look. What'll she find, I wonder?"

Aileen twisted her tea cup, he fingers twitching in the agony of what she was supposed to be up to. An interest column...HER, writer of politics and all things intelligent wizards read, was expected to write an interest column...

Aileen knew it was punishment. She found it to be an extremely harsh punishment but she supposed Nara Fawcinder, her editor, had reason enough considering Aileen's latest report on the race for minister included a few choice words completely slamming candidate Zolnerowich's most recient speech. With a stern talking to about the duty of the Prophet to report unbiased material, Aileen had been her next assignment. "Read through the suggestions provided and turn in a 300 word interest column by Sunday."

Aileen flipped once again through her choices.

1. Minchins Mild Wart Cream - What Are The Effects on YOUR Skin
2. When Enough is Enough - A Brief Overview of Signs Your Wizard Has a New Witch.
3. Latest Trend Poll - Is Spanish Robe Designer Purposely Making Your Butt Look Big? Fashion or Flop?

Aileen slammed the note book shut. She would quite literally gag if she had to spend the next couple of days researching any of these topics. This drivel was best left for reporters like Melina Skeeter, a bubbly third year reporter who choice to keep in the family business of spinning crap.

"Fine." Aileen said downing her now cold tea in a final swig.

"She wants a poll? Let's get her one."

Aileen collected her things and reviewed who in the Leaky Cauldron would be drunk enough to answer questions but coherent enough to...well answer them.

She spotted two quite attractive men and pushed past other bar goers to get to their table. Aileen didn't consider herself vain. But she wasn't opposed to a little eye candy while she worked.

"Do you believe an eye for an eye has validity in today's wizarding society, particularly relating to muggle vs. wizarding tensions?"

Not quite the pick up line her mother taught her.

"It's for a poll."

She added coyly.

Bastian could not help but tense, perhaps his brother was to much out of it to notice he did have a draft of beer.. Well he did say his brother could rant at him now didn't he so he supposed he asked for it. "Well Brother, you have head start on me tonight in that area" he muttered holding up his pint with a tightened grip.

Though his brother was hitting senseitive spots and he knew it.

Though there was some truth to his brother jabs, he didn't want Calixta to see him as a drunk... and truth be told he didn't need to drink himself numb every night now. most of his drinking in the past.. was well to drown out the emptness.. sure there were those fun times he had with his brother.. but that was all. His brother clearly didn't know what he was saying..

"Oh yes Juli.. what will she find? That I used to work for Vinzent Zolnerowich?" he snapped back being unable to help that one. He found this accusation more then Ironic, concidering his brothers current job.

His brother was not talking sense, and he didn't think he would for the remainder of the night. He chuggled down his own pint after the bash who could blame him? "So that what ya think of me Juli? Please don't hold back tell how you really feel" Bastian replied with a scoff, his brother was digging them into a hole... perhaps he was helping him along. They'd climb back out later, like they always did..

Then he spotted an reporter and gave her a glare that could be defined as "You've got to be kidding.."

Why of all the people did she choose them? She's be very lucky if Julian didn't bite her head off.

And personally he could care less about a poll at that particular time.. His brothers bad mood seemed to be catching....

That was a low blow coming from Bastian, considering that the Zolnerowich job was basically why he lost his family. Although, to be fair, it wasn't the whole reason. There had been problems before that...money problems, what else was new?  Kate didn't seem satisfied with the life he was providing for herself and their child, so when the opportunity for advancement came, he'd gladly snatched it, despite the fact that it required moving to a whole other country. He'd left everything and everyone he'd ever known behind to please her, hoping that they could make a new life for themselves in England, where his story was unknown. 

No matter what anyone said, he knew the reason his career stalled back in Germany was because of the last name he begrudgingly bore -- a name that didn't truly belong to him. He would never suggest that Bastian's father had purposely damaged his chances -- but he was a powerful, wealthy man, and no one was willing to risk displeasing him. Perhaps if he'd shown the least bit of forgiveness towards the boy who should have by all rights been his son, things might have been different. 

Too late, Julian realised that perhaps by taking him in, Bastian's father had done more harm rather than the bit of good he intended. Instead of helping repair his broken relationship with his son, he'd only strengthened Bastian's resentment. And had Julian been put up for adoption or even raised in an orphanage, he would have been granted the anonymity he ended up seeking in England, away from the influence of the name Kaiser.

It was not entirely fair to blame Bastian for all of it -- his motives had been pure, his feelings brotherly -- but as his life came back together and Julian's fell further away from him, it was all he could do just to grasp at the pieces. If he dragged Bastian back down with him, then at least he wouldn't have to face the darkness alone. Because Kate had clearly abandoned him, and took the one tiny ray of hope with her. 

"Catch up, then," Julian urged, his sudden anger quenched by his melancholy thoughts just as quickly as they had flared up. "Have something a little stronger. For me. I can't drown my sorrows alone," he remarked with a sad chuckle.

"At the rate I'm going you'll be in bed by your normal hour, and there's always the usual potions for after. It won't interfere with your work, or your lady love." That was still a bit bitter, but at least he'd calmed down. Which was fortunate for the clueless reporter who'd come over to them, barking up the completely wrong tree.

"You must be mad," he told her bluntly, gesturing at her tea cup. "You can't come in here and expect some poor old sod off his nut on fire whiskey to go spilling all his deepest, darkest secrets, while you're sitting high and mighty with your nose clean and your little cup of tea. You English and your tea," he spat, shaking his head.

"I don't talk to the types of people who have the audacity to drink tea in a bar. So either order something proper, or get lost." All said, it was nearly a polite reply considering Julian's capricious mood. He'd half a mind to answer her in German to see what she'd do, but she was at least pretty, if stupid for charging up to the pair of them like that. Not as pretty as Nicole (he might be a tad biased), but enough that he'd feel bad being any harsher towards her -- and he'd always had a soft spot for females of every variety, since Violet was born.

Bastain nearly sighed relieved his brothers anger swung back again, he really didn't want to make things worse... and fight his brother who had a notiably bad day.. He silently humored his brother and ordered something stronger, though he wasn't in the mood for Fire whiskey.. instead he got vodka.. he didn't want the burn of Firewhiskey at that moment...

He mentally sighed... merlin if his brother started getting jealous over all this, he really didn't know what he'd do.. that thought in mind he he took a drink.. perhaps he could catch up to his already sloshed brother.

"Ya don't need ta convinse me Juli... I am old take me a while ta get going... " he said taking trying to throw hus brothers coments with another drink.. to heck with his plans of trying to stay a little less sloshed then his brother, If it proved to Juli he was still at his side.. then so be it.

He wasn't sure what else need to be said to the poor reporter..

"Take yar poll else where lass... Political question have no place here" he said as civily as he could. Now that he though about he didn't even full understand the question.. the vodka must be getting to him...

Aileen was not to be put off with harsh words. Here tell tale eyebrows rose at the challenging statement one of the men had said to her. She rose her hand to a passing bartender. "A pint of Blishen's." She told the bartender. The particularly potent brand of firewhiskey was not for the faint of heart. It's burning sensation usually set Aileens cheeks a glow but the act was more to prove a point then to actually quench her thirst.

"Forgive my choice of drink." She began, looking once more at the men.

"I chose tea because I had no idea I would be interviewing a couple of drunk Germans. Now lets get back to the point here boys. I asked you a question, and because I have already asked you the question, I am obligated to record your answer. Plus, you gave me the choice, go or order a new drink. The drink has been ordered. Not answering me leads me to believe that you either are, one, too sloshed to understand what I'm saying, or two, you are so heavily invested in this topic that me recording your opinion would most likely result in your arrest. So what is it?"

She asked, without pause.

"Are you so anti muggle, you're ready to break the statute and attack a dealership because they sell cars?"

Aileens drink arrived and she took a swill before continuing.

"Look, I don't know your names. You answer and it'll stay that way. Otherwise I wonder why and start to poke around."

Aileen's granate eyes surveyed the men unwaveringly. This was probably a completely inappropriate way to go about getting an answer for an interest column. That would serve her editor right. Aileen only knew one way of journalism and it was best used on people who acutally mattered.

Julian chuckled at his brother's statement -- he was definitely not that old yet. He'd simply nodded his agreement at his choice of words to the reporter, but apparently she was not to be put off. Dark eyebrows nearly disappeared into Julian's hairline at the reporter's order, as well as the statements she followed it with. Clearly, she was a determined little thing, not to be put off her job. Well, good for her -- he could certainly sympathise, despite the ridiculous nature of her question. Anti Muggle? He had to laugh.

"There's no need for threats, lass. Actually, poking around my family history might actually be a favour to me -- answer some questions I had," he joked, laughing at his own wit although the reporter could have no idea just how funny and terribly ironic the situation was.

"For your first statement -- yes, I think I might be too drunk to answer your question, and although I can't speak for my brother here, it would seem that he is not terribly interested. For the second, I am quite invested in this issue here because I am," and here he lowered his voice, pretty nearly just mouthing them, "Muggle-born, although I have to hide that fact for my own safety. So no, I don't want to go set a lot full of Volkswagens on fire, I just want live my life unmolested by those who would do me harm. And you're damned right you won't be using my name in your little article -- whatever your name is," he concluded forcefully.

"What is your name, anyway? You're not that Skeeter woman, are you?" he asked doubtfully, squinting. He did not think he was so drunk that he couldn't recognise her picture from the papers, but it was worth asking anyway since for all he knew, she could be using polyjuice potion or some other method of disguise.

Bastian rasied his eyebrow at his brother, why he gave the woman the option of staying with them at all was beyond.. they matter off blood was not issue he wanted to get into while he was here.. he had been studing it all day.. and now.. thought of how the world was made him angry...

"if this was a better place and time I would be more then happy to tell you my views.." he tried. but it was obvious the woman wasn't going to leave with out her answers so he trailed off.

"She is persistant..." he murmered to Julian.

"I am not a terrorist Lass, never will I ever even suggest a car dealership be blown up, nor for anyother invention based in the muggle world. And I also do not care weather someone is muggle, muggleborn, pureblood, Half-blood.. we are who we are." he finished hoping his answer was satifactpry for her.. If she wanted to this it my as well be done well.

He looked at the woman only mildly curious as well as to who she was, he personally wondered why she couldn't pester someother patrons with this...

He sighed took another drink, at least she seemed to be distracting his brother...

Aileen couldn't help but crack a wide smile. "Well it's a pleasure to meet the both of yeh."
She said holding out her hand. She knew all too well the muggleborn lie tactic, she herself, although technically a half blood, had to keep her own history of being muggle raised secret.

"Name's Turner. Aileen Turner if you please." Feeling that was sufficient proof that she was not, in fact, a Skeeter.

"Believe me gentlemen, Skeeter is not nearly bold or intellegent enough to as you two these kind of questions."

She took another sip of her Whiskey but decided that was to be all she would drink. The stuff was strong, she barely got through this last sip without a cough.

"Sorry to be bothering you like this." She added politely. She was all too willing to please after she had gotten what she wanted.

"But you see it's very much worth it. You've given me a title for my article." she said with a second smile.

"We are who we are."

She tucked her thick hair behind an ear and stood up, at first a little unsteady on her feet. "Getting pie eyed is on me for your cooperation today gents."

Aileen dropped a few galleons onto the table. More than enough for the pair to have some trouble figuring out where they lived a few drinks from now.

He wouldn't have exactly called it a pleasure, but Julian smiled in response anyway at Aileen's brashness. There was just something about a bold woman that intrigued, and this one was one of the ballsiest he'd met recently. It seemed to be becoming something of a trend. Shaking his head, he did take her hand in a firm handshake, still chuckling slightly.

"You're very modest too, Ms. Turner," he noted, exchanging a look with Bastian. "I'm glad we could be of service," he added, her slight stumble not escaping his notice. The galleons she left behind was a surprise, but a welcome one. It seemed that fate was on his side as far as his plan of getting as plastered as possible.

"Well that was....interesting, to say the least," Julian commented, ordering another pint.

Bastain rasied an eye brow at the Galleon she left on the table, Well that was a interesting meeting and he nodded to his brother. Very random though, though he was curious to what the young reporters own thoughts were on her questions. But as he said before this was neither the time nor the place.


He sighed shaking his head, what a day it had been.. yesterday had seemed like a decade ago, and in the course of a few hours everything turned on its head.

He sighed and had the bar tender get them afew shoots of Tequila, it this didn't star Julian on his plasterization nothing would.. well perhaps fire whiskey... but Tequila went down easier.. anything went down easier with that.

'Two for ya, two for me Juli, one is too far the bloodly messed up world we live in..." he said rather loosely holding up one of shots, hoping this was the last of the rants..

"The second.. far whatever ya want" he said about to swallow it back.

"For Violet. To getting my daughter back," Julian suggested, tossing his shot back quickly. He was actually grateful for the interruption now because somehow it seemed to have put their night back on track. The "toast" Bastian gave made him think perhaps his brother was feeling the heat a bit as well -- probably the whole Muggle issue being brought up after today. Most likely thinking of the Harpers, and whatever else had happened that Julian wasn't aware of. Suddenly he felt a bit guilty for not even asking about how his day had gone -- surely it hadn't been much better than his own.

"If....ye don't mind my asking...how did things go, today I mean? You know, with your old lady," Julian joked hoping to keep the mood relatively light, for the moment at least. He'd need a few more drinks before he'd really be ready to start swinging.

Bastain nodded "To little Vi.. seeing me neice again " he second, he missed being an uncle as well. With that he took a swig back.

He blinked at his brothers question, he hadn't thought his brother wanted to talk about Calixta. The mere mention of her made him turned him icy at first... but since he asked.. Bas sighed trying to smile at his brothers jab at Calixta's age, "Don't let her hear ya call her that... if she and old lady I don't what that makes me..." he muttered amused. He supposed it went well all things concidered, but the information he found out at the ministry disturbed him greatly.

"Her brother's family was attacked, his wife murdered, and his children's magic Syphoned" he explained shaking his head. He still was disturbed with why it had been Calixta's family... they weren't muggleborn them selves.. so things seemed slightly more dangerous.

"There a strong family, taking it well together from the look of it" he said swirling his drink before taking another drink. "Calixta is at her place resting."

"All things concidered Juli, it went better then I would have thought, with her family anyway.. the world however, I am less confident about" he said looking up from his drink.

He wondered if his brother would be more agressive with wanting to see Violet now.. since there was no chance of Kate being apleased.

"Mind if I ask you something brother?" he asked feeling it his turn, and didn't think Julian wanted to talk about Calixta's family all evening.

"You going to fight Kate for Violet? Legally she can't keep her from you forever" he stated. Plus he wanted his Brother to be slightly happy again, and was a good father to the girl when able to be with her. At least from where he stood anyway.

"Magic syphoned?" Julian repeated, frowning. "But I didn't know she was Muggle-born...I kind of got the impression otherwise, actually. That's horrible, regardless, they must be very close to each other to be getting through it alright. I'm glad meeting her folks went well; it's a little bit of good news in an otherwise horrible situation. hope the kids turn out okay, I've hears rumours in the department." He shook his head in disbelief; the Ministry had been trying to quell similar reports for weeks, but now with it hitting so close to home, a verified case...he wondered if it would be wise to uproot Violet and bring her someplace so dangerous. Julian sighed deeply, torn.


"I -- I want to fight for her," he admitted, "but with things as they are, I'm not sure it's really in her best interest. It's hard not to notice all the upheaval in recent weeks has been getting worse when I'm working in the Ministry itself and seeing it all happen. Besides, the only reason I didn't fight Kate for custody to begin with is that I wouldn't have time to look after her with my job, and it's better to be with family than a sitter all the time. If she was of school age, perhaps it could have been managed. The job situation hasn't changed, either, so even though I have the gold to take care of her, I'm afraid it won't be enough to impress a judge." Julian sighed and signalled for another round of drinks, torn between thinking he wasn't drinking fast enough and knowing it was all going to hit him at the same time fairly soon. But his troubles required gratuitous amounts of drowning. They just wouldn't go away that easily.

"I don't know how people do it -- the whole single parent thing. I know someone who does...I suppose it couldn't hurt to ask how she manages on her own like that." Now that the idea had occurred to him, Julian felt significantly more cheered up. Nicole and Shelly were the perfect picture of single parent success, at least from what he'd seen. Surely he could learn a thing or two from her, if he was willing to put his pride aside for a moment and ask.

Bastian nodded, "She isn't muggle-born, her mother was a Greengrass if what I figure is correct, that is what disturbs me, the attacks have been stepped up to Half-bloods now.. unless this case is issolated... and for a completlry different reason.. it makes no sence" he said shaking his head.

"Yes I hope they make it, the eldest is a year younger then Vi, and as far as I know catatonic, the younger one.. I am not sure what happened but in critical condition as well" he didn't want to say or confirm any rumours of the chances of the children dieing.. he didn't want to think of it himself.

Bastain nodded and listened to his brother, well it made sence, with his job.. but he could still be allowed to see her once in a while right?

"What about visitation?" he asked trying not to think that he used to be a single parent.. boy what a failure that turned out to be, Granted his daughters death had been out of his control, but.. would she had died if she had been with her mother instead?

"Surely being able to be with her a little bit is better then what you got now?" he muttered

He assumed his brother was talking about a firend at work so he didn't say anything about the single parent Julian new, he then noted his drink was almost empty and quickly ordered a new one.. good thing he brought his portkey with him.. appareting this night would be a stupid thing indeed. But at his brothers beseech, he was going to get as plastered as him, in the toast the bloody world.

Julian looked surprised at Bastian's information. "But the Greengrasses are pure bloods -- an old pureblood family, at that. The children being so young....this almost seems personal, except I can't understand who'd have such a vendetta against them."

The thought terrified him -- ordinary, law-abiding citizens being so viciously attacked on the middle of the night, for no apparent reason besides mingling with Muggle blood. It was the only thing that could make him grateful that Violet was so far away, where she was safe, for the time being at least. There was no telling how quickly this new, more extreme brand of violence would branch out -- no place might be safe, soon. Julian kept being torn between keeping Violet safe at any cost -- even if that meant not seeing her -- and not being convinced she was safe unless he could see her himself.

Then again, it might not even be safe for him anymore...if he moved back to Germany he'd certainly get more opportunities to see his daughter, and he could always commute the way Bastian did...he made a mental note to discuss this with his supervisor the next day. It seemed even his cover as a halfblood might not be enough these days....he sighed and drank deeply from his pint.

"Maybe I need to go back, do things how you've done -- commuting back and forth. I should probably have sold the flat off anyway when Kate left, I can move into something more suited for one person who's barely home. Maybe get a proper house with a yard for Violet to play in."

Bastian shook his head he had no idea why any of that happened, it was such a vicious attack.. one had to wonder what had provoked it. Why them out of anyone? Half bloods were most of the population now.. pureblood nearly gone... and even then he was willing to bet most of them were half bloods now to.

There had to be some thing more... but his mind was starting to get to cloudy to really think on it.

"I was planing ta talk ta them tommorrow after work.. tell them what I found out, perhaps they know something that might be related" he said shortly and sighed.

Bastain nodded agreeing with his brothers idea, he could understand that Julian wanted to keep Vi safe, even if that meant not seeing her. But he couldn't see how it could make things any worse then they already were.. At least if he could see her from time to time he would be constantly wondering if she was all right.

"Up to ya brother" he said. After all whatever his brother wanted to do.. he'd back him no matter what..

Then a though occured to him, who was the man Kate had married anyway? He was now Violet step father... he was curious if Julian looked into it at all... After all the man could potentaily be looking after Vi right now.

He looked at Julian, wondering how to ask such a question... it make things ugly or it wouldn't..

"Juli? have ya looked into the.... Guy Kate married?" he asked purely out of concern for Vi.. he almost feared it he was someone like his Client.. Mr. Yaxley oh merlin help them if that was the case.

Julian bristled at the question, looking very much like he would like to hit someone. "His name is Karl Becker" he sneered, "about as common a name as you can get. It could be anyone, I have no idea, and she's not talking, is she? There are several hundred wizards with that name, and thousands of Muggles -- I checked."

It really seemed to him that moving back to Germany was the only answer...it would make his life at work even more miserable, but Violet was much more important. And he'd talk to Nicole too, about seeing how she managed with Shelly. Horrible as it sounded, Julian hoped now tha Kate was married to someone else, she might be more willing to part with Violet, who was after all a reminder of the past she clearly sought to distance herself from. She could always have more kids with her fancy new husband...Violet was all Julian had ever had.

Bastian frowned, he didn't like the fact this was a everyday mystery guy.. he could be a Prig for all they knew. It was the main reason he faught so hard for Annika when ir happened, the guy his Ex wife got together with had been no good.. So he stopped his career as an Auror and took up a law office job, that was more stable and he was able to be with his daughter.

Even if this Karl guy was a good guy, he still back Juli to go for it, he'd hate to see Juli loose Violet to.

"Go for it Juli, Get Little Vi back" he said with a pause.. "Before it is to late " he mentally added.

He took a long drink again, merlin he hoped Violet didn't follow her cousins fate.. he didn't even think he could pull Julian out if something did.

"You know there is nothing I wouldn't do for my daughter," Julian replied, slurring slightly. That tequila had certainly begun to take its effect. Still, he drank more from the cup before him and stared around the crowded room. So many people going about their lives, completely unaware of the tragedies that were now happening with such frequency all around them -- families being torn apart from all sides. It seemed the whole world was going mad, exactly as Bastian had said earlier.

Julian stood up, firewhiskey slopping down the side of his pint as he took it with him. "It's hot in here, I want to go outside for a smoke."

Bastian sighed and debated for a sceond on following his brother, he didn't know Julian even smoked.. but he didn't comment. He then decided it would be best not to let his brother wander out in the busy streets alone.

"I'll come with ya" he muttered.

Not as sloshed as his brother yet he stood and felt slightly light headed, but followed his brother out of the bar moreless steadily, if not very loosly.

Outside was the world of muggles, they ignored them as they continued on with there lives, it was later in the evening and families and teen were filing out of the near by movie theatre, getting into there cars and going home before it started to rain.. rain clouds were over head.

Bas took another Drink, sometimes he missed the bliss of not knowing about the two worlds that exisited... Being a muggle was a bit simpler it seemed... they only saw one world instead of two.