Smiling, Leane let out a sigh of relief as her hands slid up Fynn's back, coming to a stop as they gently grasped his shoulders from behind, pulling herself close to Fynn so her body was gently resting against his, "Thank you, for everything. I'm really glad you talked me into coming here and stayed with me through this.. Josh handled it.. better.. than what I had honestly expected. I mean, I expected him to lash out, but I wouldn't have been able to take it so well if it weren't for you.. and if it weren't for you.. he wouldn't have over heard what I said.. I really owe you a lot, and I truly appreciate it Fynn.."

-------------

Liam chuckled as he kissed the top of her head, "Not nonsense."

Kalli laughed, "What are you two whispering about?

"We feel left out of the conversation," added Drew with a laugh.

-------------

Josh smiled as he saw Kalli sitting at the Ravvie table, her back to him. Walking over to her, he slipped his arms around her waist from behind as he placed a sweet, gentle kiss on her neck. "Evening," he whispered against her neck before kissing it once more.

Startled, Kalli fell back into Josh as she jumped at his kisses. Trying to catch her breath and Josh, Drew, and Liam laughed at Kalli, she playfully slapped Josh's arm and exclaimed, "So...not.. funny!"

Still laughing, Josh smiled as he took her hand and brought it to his lips, "Mmm, I think it was."

Kalli smiled at him as she spoke softly, "I see you're in a pleasant mood, did you talk to Leane?"

Josh nodded as he grabbed a roll, "Yep."

"You owe me nothing but your undying love and devotion," Fynn laughed, hugging her tightly to him as he added, "Though I suppose that's quite a lot."

---

Though still blushing from Liams' teasing, Anna joined in on the laughter over Kalli, eagerly leaning in as she questioned Josh, "So you decided on a truce alltogether, or a temporary peace?"

Leane smiled as she turned her face up so her eyes met his, "Mmm, but it's willingly given, my dearest Fynn." Standing up on her toes, Leane placed a sweet, gentle kiss upon Fynn's lips. "Now, love, I'm sure you're absolutely starving by now, so why don't you head back to the Great Hall and get some dinner? Unless you wish to join me, of course," she continued as she stepped away from Fynn, an apple appearing in her hand, "I think I'm going to take a short walk through flower beds. After finally clearing everything with Josh, for the most part, I need a bit of fresh air to keep me sane enough to sleep in the common room tonight," she added before taking a bite of her apple.

--------------

With a wink, Josh smiled at Anna, "Possibly."

Drew rolled his eyes, "Are you going to give us more than a one word answer?"

"Maybe," retorted Josh with a laugh.

Liam smiled, "I take it ye 'n' Fynn 're goin' t' tolerate each other fer Leane's sake?"

Josh nodded as he finished his roll, "Yeah, seems the bloody nuisance has won forgiveness from Leane, so in order to not fight with her, I've gotta take it easy on Fynn; doesn't mean I have to like it though."

Kalli rolled her eyes with a laugh, "Oh Josh, it's going to be hard on all of us! It'll take some getting used to, but I'm sure in the end everything will be just fine and we'll all end up liking him."

Josh gave a short laugh in response.

Kalli rolled her eyes, "Don't -hmph- me, Josh Phillips. There's no bloody way I'm going to go through another fight with you three! Three fights is wretched enough, I will not stand for a fourth!"

Josh laughed as he wrapped his arms around Kalli's waist and gently kissed her neck, "Mmm, but wouldn't it be fun to see Fynn squirm?"

Kalli rolled her eyes as she poked Josh's nose with her finger, causing him to loosen his grip and lean back a bit as Kalli pushed his nose a bit, "Not one bit. You promise Leane, and I'm going to see to it that you don't do anything to muck it up."

Laughing, he leaned back and caught her finger between his lips, gently caressing it with his tongue and lips before letting it go and kissing her cheek, "Mmm, but I'm always forgiven in the end."

Liam rolled his eyes and chucked a roll at Josh's head, "Don't even think abou' it Josh. There's no way yer puttin' th' rest o' us through it either. Anna's only had t' deal with one o' yer big fights. We've had t' deal with all three!"

"And there's no way we're watching you sulk and mope and watching Leane walk around deep within her guard for months on end because of a fight," added Drew.

Josh laughed, "Come come now! I was only joking! Of course I plan to keep my promise to Lee, you really think I'm that stupid as to ruin it all due to my temper?"

Kalli, Liam, and Drew all looked at one another before looking back and Josh and speaking simultaneously, "Yes!"

"I think..." Fynn hesitated for a moment, reluctant to let her go - but, after placing a gentle kiss on her hair, he decidedly stepped away from her. "I'm going to catch up on my school work." Giving her a warm smile, he teased, "After all, we're going to try and be good kids from now on."

His hand slipped around her wrist, bringing the apple up to his own lips before taking a bite out of it. His brown eyes seemed to darken for a moment as he asked, "You will be alright, though, without me?"

----

Feeling more then slightly out of place, Anna remained quiet for the most of the conversation, reaching over the table to get a small pudding as desert and eating it in silence. Only after everyone had unanimously agreed to Josh being a dolt, did she speak up.
"The good thing about family is," her lightly accented voice offered, though her eyes remained focused on her meal, "that no matter what stupidity you do, you'll be forgiven. You should cherish that, though, rather then take it for granted and get into a fight again."

Leane grinned and brought her lips to Fynn's, placing a gentle kiss on his lips, "Mmm, I'll be okay. I promise, no more crying." After placing a gentle kiss on Fynn's nose, she gently rubbed her nose against his as she spoke softly, "Thank you for worrying though. I promise I'll be fine though. One quick turn, then it's back inside to the library for Leane Supton. I've got potions to study for after all if we plan on being 'good kids' from now on," she added with a laugh before kissing his lips.

Smiling as she stepped back, she asked softly before taking another bite of her apple, "I'll see you in the morning?"

--------------

Liam placed a kiss on Anna's head as he gently pulled her close to him, "Aye, love. 'Couldn't 'ave said it bet'er meself."

"Yeah yeah yeah, I hear you. I'll keep my thoughts to myself and not say anything in front of Leane. But that won't stop me from saying it behind their backs."

Kalli rolled her eyes, "Well, we expected that much!"

Rather then replying, he pulled her into his arms again, placing a light kiss on her lips, smiling lightly at the taste of apple. "Yeah - definetly."

---

With her head on Liams' shoulder - which, of course, had caused a light pink hue to colour her cheeks - Anna looked over the table at Josh in a blank stare that would have been mildly offensive, had it not been for the blush on her face. "I'm not trying to take sides here, but..."

Shrugging lightly, using the movement to rest her hand on Liams' thigh, she offered, "You could just try and be genuinely happy for her. Trust that she knows what she's doing and that kind of stuff."

Leane grinned as she wrapped her arms around his neck as she swallowed the bit of apple in her mouth before kissing his nose gently and kissing his lips passionately, "Hmmm, I'm beginning to think I should skip the gardens and we should just go to the library and 'study' together," she added with a teasing smile as she gently ran her free hand through his hair.

------------------

Josh rolled his eyes, "Never. There's no bloody way I'll be genuinely happy for her. I mean, yeah, of course I'm happy she's saved from Dad's stupid bargain, but I'm not happy about who she chose. But for her sake, I'll shut my mouth and play the happy brother."

Kalli punched Josh's thigh as she glared at him, "Josh!"

Drew rolled his eyes as he said in an aside to Kalli, "Don't worry Kal, he'll come around eventually."

Kalli sighed as she whispered back, "I sure hope so."

Liam sighed, "Josh.."

Josh sighed, "I know I know! Bloody hell guys, I'll behave myself I promise!"

With a warm laugh, Fynn nuzzled his head into her hand, almost like a kitten wishing to be petted. "I wouldn't be averse to that - every excuse to spend more time together is a good one. However..." The smile on his face turned into a sexy grin as he tugged lightly at her hair, his hands resting on her upper back in a loose embrace. "...be prepared for a serious study buddy."

----

Again, Anna waited a while before speaking up, just looking at Josh calmly to try and figure out the best reaction. Letting out a sigh aswell, the Belgian girl donned a small, mocking smile as she said, "I suppose that's all we can hope for, huh? I didn't think you were such a typical wizard, but I guess looks - or in this case, choice of girlfriends - can be deceiving."

Taking her hand off of Liams' thigh, the brunette rested her elbows on the table, her hands clasped together at ease as she offered, "Is it really that hard to imagine Fynn loving your sister the way you love Kalli? Didn't you have doubts about her house, at first?"

Leane smiled as she kissed him lightly, "Mmm, if we're talking of my kind of studying, I'm counting on it."

---------

A slight blush crept into Josh's cheeks, "Th-that's not the same thing..."

"I think we may have a different definition of studying," Fynn laughed, leaning in to capture her lips again for a moment. "Though I could always adapt mine."

---

"Oh really?" With a light smile on her lips, the brunette brought one of her arms up, resting her chin on her hand as she continued eyeing Josh. "I don't see what's so different. You've had plenty of insecurities amongst yourselves, I'm sure. Even to the extent that I was one of the things standing in between you two. Every large issue starts by being a small one. I think it's the same for them, don't you?"

"Hmm, that could be problematic," Leane grinned as she stepped away from him, taking his hand in hers as she took a bite of the apple in her other hand, "But I very much like the idea of you adapting your definition to mine."

-------

Josh, avoiding eye contact with Anna, bit into another roll, "I-I don't know what you're talking about. My relationship with Kal is nothing like that jerk and Leane's."

Smiling fondly at her, Fynn nodded a bit, heading back towards where they came from for now. "I knew you'd like that. Though, keep in mind, you have to adapt your idea to mine a bit, too."

---

Her voice dripping with sarcasm, Anna stated dryly, "Oh yeah, 'cause the reason you're completely avoiding looking into my eyes right now is 'cause they're so bewitching. Think logically for a sec."

Leane frowned in thought as she took another bite of her apple, trying to plan the best argument that would get her out of truly studying and doing work; for at the moment, Leane forgot her usual studious nature, and was solely focused on her beloved Fynn.

As she swallowed the bit of apple in her mouth, Leane grinned seductively up at Fynn, peering up at him through seductive eyes as she began her cunning argument, "Hmm, I suppose so. We could always study Charms. For example, we could study how your very voice and presence is so seductively charming that it simply makes me lose all focus and fills me with the want to kiss you. Or, we could study the basics of Muggle Relationships and practice their 'rituals' step by step."

----

Josh, still avoiding eye contact, tensed a bit, "I-I don't know what you mean. I am thinking logically, and my relationship is nothing like theirs."

His voice slightly higher-pitched, Fynn grunted. "Amazing how you can make such dull subjects sound so alluring." With a light tug at her hand, he pulled her against his side, his arm wrapping around her waist with ease as he hugged her to his side. "You're not getting out of actual studying with me, though."

--

"That's not what I said," Anna pointed out, adding two seconds later. "Well, that is what I said, but it's not meant to be taken so literately. You can continue being pigheaded, I don't care."

Sighing lightly, she leaned back on the bench a bit, sorely missing the support of chairs' back, and choosing to lean her shoulder lightly against Liams' instead. "I apologize for meddling in your affairs."

Leane couldn't help but laugh at his words, "But dearest! My plan was so perfectly cunning! I was sure you'd simply agree and let me off the hook."

Sighing, she smiled, biting into her apple as she shook her head gently. Swallowing the bit of apple, Leane walked on her toes as her lips wrapped around his earlobe, her tongue caressing it as she kissed it lovingly before whispering, "I was hoping my plan of studying would be too tempting to turn down, what a shame it didn't work out that way."

---

Josh sighed, "Anna, come off it, you're not meddling; you're simply stating what I don't want to hear. I know very well what you mean, I simply don't want to believe that I'm anything like that miserable excuse for a man!

The poor boy could say nothing, and instead, a low groan escaped his parted lips. "Leane..."

--

Smiling to herself, feeling like her point had gotten across, Anna offers, "Well, why don't you want to hear it? Usually it's because it's too close to home, you know."

Leane smiled as she repeated her kiss before whispering, "Ye~s, Fynn?"

----

"But I've never hurt Kalli like Fynn's hurt Leane! I never treated her so horribly! I was simply weary of her at first because of what was being said by the Huffies she was around. They were pretty forthcoming with their hatred for Slythies, me especially. How was I to know it wasn't just some trick of theirs?"

Gripping her firmly, Fynn almost toppled the both of them over in the passion of his kisses and caresses - one hand buried in her hair, the other locked securely around her waist and thigh, he ravished her mouth.

----

"You two realized what was going on in time," Anna spoke firmly, not planning on giving up this point, if only to make Josh feel a little less righteous. It irked her slightly that she was the one suggesting the similarity, having only known them for a couple of days. Somehow, it made her feel uneasy. "They didn't. When people lash out at you, you lash right back."

Leane, having dropped the half-eaten apple onto the floor at the shock of his sudden embrace and intensiveness, moaned softly as she returned his kisses eagerly and her left hand clutched the front of his shirt, pulling him closer to her, if at all possible, while her right hand slid around his neck and into his hair.

--------

Josh groaned as he propped his head up with his fist, his elbow resting next to his plate on the table, absolutely defeated, "Bloody hell Anna, couldn't you have just kept quiet like the rest of them?"

Kalli bit her lower lip, "Actually, we were sorta thinking the same thing, Josh. We, we just didn't want to discuss it while you were around until you were ready."

Liam smiled as he kissed Anna's hair, "Anna was jus' th' only one with enough courage t' tell it t' ye now."

Josh rolled his eyes, "I'd prefer never knowing.."

Stumbling until his shoulders bumped against the wall, Fynn did all he could to draw her even closer to him - though that wasn't at all possible. His fingers dug warmly in her hair, massaging her scalp as his eyes were shut tightly in their passionate embrace.

Had the boy had any less composure, he would've indulged his desire then and there.

---

Feeling a bit shy - it was as if they'd read her mind, though it only made her more uneasy - the young Belgian girl glanced back at Josh. "I'm just playing the Devil's advocate. Asking those things you don't wanna ask yourself. The trick is to actually ASK yourself these things. It's the only way you'll learn and evolve."

Leaning a bit more closely against Liam - enjoying the solidity of his body above all else - she gave an apolegetic smile. "I did mean what I said before, though. I'm sorry for meddling."

A soft moan escaped Leane's lips as she returned his kisses, her left hand gently unbuttoning Fynn's shirt to indulge her desires by caressing the muscles on his back and chest.

-------

Josh sighed, "I know, Anna, but there's nothing to be sorry for."

Liam smiled, "Really, love, if anythin' ye did us all a favor by sayin' it."

Kalli nodded as she wrapped her arms around Josh's waist and kissed his fist, "Josh, you really should listen though. I know very well Drew and Liam only figured out what Anna was getting at because of my expressions and didn't figure it out on their own, but they all are right. I was going to talk to you about it later, when we didn't have so many prying ears, but you can see the similarities between their situation and ours, can't you? Surely you must if Anna and I both can. I mean, sure, ours isn't as heartbreaking and wretched as theirs, but you must see that it's simply because of their tempers and their way of thinking that brought it all around. Can't you see how much love they have for one another? Surely that must take precedence above hatred."

Josh sighed, "Look.. I get what you all are getting at, and I appreciate you all having Lee's back like this. But.. I just.. I can't bring myself to like him right now; and I'm sure he feels the very same way about me. Can't we just leave things as they are for right now? Fynn and I sarcastically getting along and dealing with each other for the sake of my sister?"

In a desperate gesture, Fynn pushed her away, letting out a low groan in the process, because it was so much more easy to just go ahead with him. "You succubus, you," he hissed, a hand over his eyes to try and calm himself down. There was nothing in his voice but warm affection and love, though, so there was no way to misunderstand. Pushing her away had been all he could do to keep himself in check, and knowing that she was more then willing did not make it easier. "Temptress."

---

"That'll do for now," Anna agreed, trying to give Josh an encouraging smile in the process. "Just keep it in mind. They're going to keep evolving. It won't take long for them to be on the same page as you are now." She nodded a bit at Kalli, hinting at what had happened the day before. "And most likely they'll move to that page at an insane pace. They lost five years already. I don't think they're going to wait long with... well..." Suddenly realizing that she was talking about Leanes sexlife to her brother caused the brunette to let out an awkward cough, but she continued anyways. "...night-time activities."

Leane, blushing, quickly stepped back a bit as she began chewing on her black nail, "F-Fynn.. I-I'm really sorry.. I.. I didn't mean.. It wasn't my intention to.. I.. I just got carried away.."

----

Liam and Drew simply burst out laughing at Anna's last sentence. They knew very well what temper it would put Josh in, and they found it quite hilarious that Anna had mentioned Kalli and Josh's personal activities all in the same breath as Fynn and Leane's.

Kalli, blushing a deep scarlet, looked at Anna with a 'Was it really that obvious?' look as Josh's face grew scarlet with fury.

"I'll kill 'im. I'll kill him myself. Where's the bloody prick?" Looking at Anna, Josh's voice began to rise a bit, "Do you mean to tell me they're doing that?! They hardly know each other! When the bloody hell did they decide they were going to go that far?! My sister is not, I repeat not getting involved that intimately with that Gryffie prick Fynn! It's bad enough she's engaged to the jerk!"

Kalli rested a hand on Josh's back, "Josh, that's not our concern. And Anna didn't say they've already had sex! But honestly Josh, is it truly wrong of them to think of it? Surely you see how connected they are! It's only natural they'd go that route!"

Liam nodded, "Ye know she's righ' Josh, Lee 'n' Fynn's personal life is their own business. Ye 'ave no right knockin' his lights ou'. Ye'll just hurt Lee again 'n' this time, I'm not so sure she'll fergive ye."

Drew sighed, "Do you really want to risk it Josh? You know very well Lee's loved Fynn for five years, and he in turn has loved her. Their emotions are quite powerful, Josh, it's bound to happen sooner or later."

As the engagement registered in their minds, they all stared at Josh, "ENGAGED?!"

Still covering his eyes, the lower part of his face was visibly beaming, and he shook his head lightly in response to the insecurity in her voice. "I love your passion, Leane. You know that." Truly, the young man was nothing but happy smiles and warm blushes, though he was still trying to calm his body and heart.

It was such a good sign that she craved him as much as he craved her, that he couldn't help but be happy about it, though it made things so difficult for him.

---

"Five years to catch up on," Anna's grin reached from one ear to the other as she rose from the bench, feeling a bit proud at herself for seeing through the couple easily enough to notice that they would be in a hurry for almost everything. "I told you."

With a light shift of her legs - her hands on her skirt to keep the fabric down - she stepped over the bench, standing there for a moment longer to give a side-long glance at Josh. "I think they both realize well enough that it's not a good idea to hurry into a physical relationship. But you know Leane above all. Everything she does, she does intensely, full-on, without restraints. I don't think she'll change her entire personality when it comes to loving Fynn."

After a light sigh - she felt almost reluctant to get Josh out of his silly anger over his sisters' love-life - Anna added, "At the same time, Fynn is a more logic thinker. Between the two of them, either they had sex from the get-go, or they'll wait until they've been at least together for a couple of months. Seeing as how they're already engaged, my guess is that they've already gotten past that limit."
'Really', Anna rationalized to herself, hiding a scheming smile behind her hand as she waited on Joshs reaction, 'It is just too much fun to tease him like this.'

Leane sighed as she quit biting her nail and walked back over to Fynn. In moments, her hands were busy at work re-buttoning his shirt, speaking softly as she worked, "I know you do.. but.. I really do need to learn to watch what I do.. I just don't think sometimes and get us into these predicaments. There, all fixed," she added with a giggle before she placed a brief kiss on Fynn's lips and stepped away again, "I really am sorry though.. I just.. I got caught up in everything and lost all thoughts and my hands simply acted of their own accord.. I.. I promise not to let it happen again." 'At least, I'll try not to let it happen,' she added in her thoughts as she began biting her nail again.

--------

Josh rose from the bench as he slammed his fist on the table, "That bloody idiot! I'm going to first kill her, then beat him senseless, and torture him until he has a long, slow, horrible, painful death!"

Kalli quickly placed her hands no his shoulders and forced him back down onto the bench with all her might, which wasn't easy since she was quite a bit weaker than Josh. When she finally got him to sit down again, she quickly began reasoning with him, "Josh Phillips, now you listen here. Leane knows what she's doing! You mustn't get so angry! Honestly Josh, what Leane and Fynn do is not your business!"

"She's my little sister, Kal, she shouldn't be off having sex with scum like that," Josh retorted through gritted teeth.

Kalli sighed as she rolled her eyes at Anna, trying not to laugh at Anna's sly look, "Honestly, I give up! Be angry if you want, but don't you dare do anything to Leane or Fynn. You'll regret it if you do for not only will you piss off Leane and Fynn, but you'll also have me to deal with, and you know very well you don't want that."

Josh rolled his eyes, "Shut it Kal.. It's not funny! Anna's right! They've probably already done it! My little sister is not ready for that kind of commitment! She's not even ready for the engagement she rushed into!"

Kal sighed, "And like I said, none of your business."