Now that he'd stopped walking and clung to the wall of the pub for support, the queasy feeling that had sent Edgar's stomach rolling seemed to have faded to a manageable level. Standing straight, he didn't let go of the wall for now. The world was still spinning far too much to allow him to do that without falling arse first or face first to the floor. It was noisy outside with crowds of other drunken patrons, but somehow Edgar was pretty sure he managed to hear someone calling his name. He glanced up to check, though it too a few seconds before the blurry, wobbling became still enough to recognise.

Dorcas was so thankful that she’d been found. He was jogging his way towards her and even though she was feeling so pained, a sense of happiness washed over her. She probably looked so sorry just crumpled on the ground and even if she wanted to get up, she couldn’t. She was happy she finally got her helping hand. When he’d come to her side, Doe blinked as fast as her eyes could open and close, trying to see if it were just a dream or she was being delusional. But a spike of pain her arm later and she blinked and he was still there, she knew it just had to be true.

"Alright, excellent," Edgar mumbled. He couldn't imagine how stressful it would be if a complete stranger had arrived to help. If he'd be in that position, he probably wouldn't have known whether to trust them and shooed them away again. 

James was a pretty tough coach so I should be alright when the time comes. She’s a tough cookie is Grace so I wouldn’t worry too much. And I’m sure she’d tell you if something went wrong. Cheers, Edgar, that’s really helpful of you. Hopefully I’ll be back on the field quicker with their help.

So I heard. Seemed like it payed off though, Gryffindor always had bloody good form out on the pitch. And you know, the decency not to cheat half the time. Tougher than me. Can't help it though, think I'd worry about her if she got a paper cut. Anyway, I'm gonna stop being a sap about it now. 

Oh. Well, I’m sorry to hear that. 

Hey, not your fault. Some families are just like that, and I always knew that dad wanted me in the Ministry. 

Her fingers ran through her hair and Grace rolled her eyes at him. “Only you and Ted think I’m terrifying, I just don’t see it," she shook her head before she lead him into the kitchen and made her way around the island, her fingers tracing along it’s counter top. She flipped open the box that held her mother’s apple tart and turned towards him. “Are you hungry?" She asked before she took a seat on one of the stools.

"Apparently only Ted and me have any sense though. Not that you're scary all the time, I mean," Edgar laughed a little at her reaction as he followed after her towards the kitchen. He let his eyes wander around what they could as they moved to curiously take it all in. "Stupid question, when am I not?" He positively beamed, moving towards the island to perch himself on one of the stools on the opposite side to Grace. "Besides, even if I wasn't, I'm not that silly to turn down any of your mum's apple tart." 

Oh no! I hope things start to improve for you soon. I’m okay, thanks. Finally out of St. Mungo’s.

I think I just like to grumble about it more than it actually hurts. Glad to hear you're out though, can't imagine it was really fun in there.

Says me. Ballycastle Bats, as ever. Gotta admit though, Falcons have done well, not sure they're gonna beat the Magpies in the next game though.

And the Falcons win again. Excellent.

Doesn't mean they're gonna win the cup, though.

She laughed softly. 

Trialing for a Quidditch team if I'd got my way. Would have been a dream to play with the Ballycastle Bats but, what can I say? Daddy didn't exactly like the sound of that, and here I am. 

But see that’s what I want though!

Really? Braver soul than I.

Grace hadn’t meant to practically attack him with her hug. It was just her initial reaction. She hadn’t stopped worrying about him or Ted when she learned that they both participated in the fight against those masked death eaters. Ted was in the hospital and he had been in bad shape and before she had gotten Edgar’s owl, she was worried that he was in the same position or even worse off. Edgar was one of the most important people in her life and she had no idea what she would do if she lost him. “You better not go anywhere," she said as finally took a step back and wrinkled her nose in his direction. “I will hunt you down if you purposely disappear on me and box your ears."

Despite his teasing, it was a nice reaction to get. Edgar was pretty sure he was a little biased in thinking that, but hey, who else didn't like getting hugs to show they were missed? "As terrifying as ever I see," He shot back playfully and grinned widely. He wasn't sure he'd have the willpower to stay away for weeks at a time or more even if he tried to, but admitting that wouldn't be any fun or do any good. "I think I made a mental note back in second year never to make you seriously mad, so don't worry, you're stuck with me for life now, Grace."

Her eyes were slowly fluttering shut when she’d noticed the call out for her. The voice sounded like it was a male’s… And it sounded quite familiar to her. She forced her eyes to stay open to get a grasp on who was talking to her, and saw that whoever it was was not masked or cloaked, so she decided to grab the chance of help when it was right there. “O-Over… Over here!" Doe said as loud as she could, slowly raising her arm in the air with a shake, the crippling pain sent through her body again because of the after effects.

It was easier to hear now that the attack seemed to have died out. There were no more cracks of spells or buildings being destroyed to drown out anything else or any cries for help. Edgar was pretty sure he was moving in the right direction, because the calling seemed to be getting louder. He pushed his way past a few more people who also seemed to be heading towards the Ministry workers or Healers a little further back, but Edgar wasn't about to leave someone who obviously needed help. Why everyone else seemed to be ignoring her too was pretty horrid, but considering everything, he guessed they were probably more worried about their own relatives or friends than someone they didn't know. Edgar wasn't even sure that any of his friends had been at the signing or in Diagon Alley when this had hit, so he tried to push any worry for them aside for the time being. When he'd done his bit, then he could send out the frantic owls or see if he knew anyone left here.

No idea, probably when I’m feeling up to it or when my bosses think I’m fit enough. I’ll probably have to do a fitness trail to see how I’m coping physically but I’m sure it’ll be sure. I’m writing up notes. I got bored of sitting around doing nothing but I’m hardly going to pull a muscle lifting up a quill. No, it shows you’re concerned about her, Edgar.

Just think of it in terms of training for a new Quidditch season. Much less daunting then. Oh, I don't know, those fingers look like they could be pretty delicate. Yeah, I guess. Pretty sure she knows how to handle herself though even if I worry or not. 

I think I might apply for an internship at Ministry.

Once you're in, you're never getting out they always say. Take it from me, seem to be practically living there now.

Grace laughed and shook her head. “Well, I’m glad that you decided against the pebbles," she commented as she held the door open for him. Once he was inside, she closed the door and carefully locked. In the same breath, she whirled around and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled him into a tight hug and buried her face into his neck. She didn’t realized until she was face to face with him how much she really did miss her best friend. She held onto him tighter and took in a deep breath.

"Whoa! there, Gracie. I'm not going anywhere," Edgar hadn't been expecting the hug when he'd stepped through the door, but it didn't make it any less welcome. He stumbled only a little, with his arms out to make sure they were steady, before they too wrapped back around her in return, just as tightly. "I'm happy I'm here too," He replied and tilted his head a little to rest his cheek against her head. From the quick look he'd gotten, she seemed okay and that was enough to lay his worries to rest for the time being. "And if this is the kind of welcome I get every time you haven't seen me in a while I might make it a habit to vanish for weeks at a time." 

Mind out of the gutter, Edgar Bones. I’m not that kind of office girl. I’m the type who could probably insist your department keeps you on healing leave for a little longer, and then you’ll never get to show off any gnarly battle wounds, will you?