#nathanxbryant

Nathan heard the news that Bryant was waking. He had already sent Mrs. Blackwell home, to let Bryant's father know of what had happened, and why she returned so late. He had tried to reassure her that her son would soon wake, but even with the nurses telling him they were confident he would, the French boy had doubts. His mind couldn't help but think this was Karma's way of paying him back. He was now dealing with the pain he once inflicted on the man he loved. 

The infirmary was bustling and noisy during the day, people coming and going, visiting hours had been expunged with all that was going on and it was a free for all. Bryant spent most of the day by Bryant's bedside, though he often offered his chair to those in more need than him, those that could actually hold a conversation with the wounded they were visiting. He just held the Raven's chilled hand, squeezing it, in hopes that soon it would squeeze back.

The nights he spend laid on the tiny single bed by his love, only ever leaving when he was dragged away, mostly by Nick, who seemed to insist he eat and shower and rest to keep himself well. If it wasn't for the little lion Nathan wasn't sure what he would do. He would probably of gone crazy having one sided conversations. It killed him to never really have any time alone with Bryant, but he understood. It wasn't just the infirmary that was full, the puffs common room had become over run and he had taken to showering in the Gryffindor's common room. 

Nick forced him to look after himself for when the Raven awoke, and the French Puff had made friends with the boy laying in the bad next to his lover, another Raven, Max. It gave him someone to talk to when he needed a break and between him and the Lion, Nathan started to feel like negative, less guilty and numb, but there was always one thing on his mind, one thing he would regret forever if his Rouge Raven didn't wake.... Love.

Bryant had called him his boyfriend, he had made that comment and put an open end to it, as if it were a question, and Nathan had just frozen. He was scared of his feelings, he was worried that it would all fall apart like it had before, in France. He had built up so many walls that his new attitude had become his way of life, and he was worried he would disappoint the Raven too. All these doubts had caused him to run and leave the question unanswered, but after the events of Hogsmeade, after the attack.. He had that answer. He had it all along, he was just to coward to make a leap of faith.

Poor little Claude flew as best he could with a heavy package in his talons. The clumsy little owl almost dropped it trying to get in through the Ravenclaw common room window but managed to keep its contents in tact as he flew up to Bryant's room and dropped it on his bed.

The little red package had a note with it, one Nathan had scribbled a billion times and still felt like it didn't give off the right feel, tell Bryant what he wanted. But finally, he hoped the words were right, simple, but honest. 

-My Dearest Bryant,

You have no idea what my time spent with you means to me. I wanted to get you a great Christmas gift, one you would cherish for years to come, but I couldn't think of what to get you. I hope this will do. It is to show you how much our first night together meant to me. It will be in my thoughts, always.

Nate-

The parcel started to unwrap itself with a little magical help and inside were little momento's of their time spent together.

Nathan was having a horrible time of it. His father had dragged him to the pub, and was already slightly tipsy by the time Nathan managed to drag him out of there. "Papa, please... You are embarrassing me!" he sighed, heading out into the snow and away from the taverns just to keep his father coherent enough to have some form of civil conversation.

"Nathan arrêter d'être si vous!" his father moaned, rolling his eyes and Nathans brows narrowed "What is 'zat meant to mean?" he asked. "I don't even know why you bothered to come." the Hufflepuff mumbled to himself as he headed to the shops, hoping his father would sober up in the fresh air. "Je vous l'ai dit, nous devons parler!" his arms flapped, not really seeing what the two of them could possibly have to talk about seen as they hadn't had a real conversation since Nathan first came to Hogwarts. "About what?" His father paused "Votre mere." Nathan's brows arched, wondering what his mother had to do with any of this.

He was about to start an argument  stuffing his hands into his pockets so his father couldn't see them ball into tight fists when he heard a familiar voice, a soothing voice, and he swallowed. "Bryant..." he said to himself, turning quickly. "Qui?" Nathans eyes shot back to his father, shrugging. "It's nothing, no one!" he said quickly though his reluctance to explain only intrigued his father more. "Un... ami?" "Oui papa." he admitted, not wanting to say anymore. He knew how his father felt about his fancies towards the same sex and if he found out about Bryant, well.. It didn't bare thinking about. "E is not in my 'ouse, but we share a lot of classes and 'ave become good friends." His father started walking towards the boy and his mother and Nathan bit at his lip "Papa, 'e probably wants to spend time with 'is family. We shouldn't disturb 'em." 

For all his rationalizations  his efforts, his lies, his father carried on and Nathans eyes closed, sighing, giving up and just hoping he could do some damage control if his father's temper got out of hand. "They're going to 'ze pub, how perfect, we can all sit down and 'ave a drink and a chat!" His father said with a grin and Nathan realized how bad this could get with alcohol involved. "Papa, please!" 

Ever since he came to Hogwarts, Nathan had been a hit with the girls, and some of the boys too, as if he was their new shiny toy and to be honest, he felt the same way, but none of them had any clue as to why he had joined the school in his 6th year. He simply told them his parents had made him move, that their jobs demanded a relocation to slightly colder climates. Every word was a lie, accept one 'my parent's made me move!' that bit was true.

They made him move, run from his problems, Nathan had wanted to stay, though he had no friends left there anyway. His friends from his old school hadn't spoken to him since he moved, not one little letter. He'd sent only one back home, but even that had gained no response. He knew why, he'd hurt people he cared about. One minute of crazed madness, one mistake, and he had lost everything, including his parents respect. 

The recent attack on Nick Hayes, the fact he looked to beaten, so broken, it brought everything back for Nathan and he hated it, he felt guilty, he angry. He needed a damn distraction, so that's exactly what he did, he found the nearest girl and did what he did best, he layered on his accent, thicker than normal and cooed into her ear, giving her sweet whispering's of promises and dreams until he glanced over her shoulder to see his last victim heading his was. Merlin!

Nathans lips kissed at her cheeks before his eyes locked onto Mel's and he saw that scowl. This was the only problem with having countless lovers, you forgot which ones you had said what to, and girls seemed to get a little testy when they realized they weren't the only object of his affection. Normally, he would of stuck around, a slap would of been worth it to watch the fireworks between Mel and his latest conquest, but he just wasn't in the mood today. He backed up and said goodbye before turning the corner of the corridor, out of Mel's gaze. 

There was nowhere to hide and he didn't feel like a confrontation, what the hell would he do?

Broom closet! His eyes shifted to the small wooden door on his left before he pulled out his wand "Aloh hamora!" the lock clicked and he slid inside, glancing down the corridor before closing the door only to feel another warm body by his side, he cocked a brow, looking to the person next to him. Blackwell, okay this day just got worse. He swallowed, turning his head back to the door as he quietly locked it and leaned against the wall, looking over the boy.