f u t u r e (rue/open)

[flint]

Stephen found it hard to believe that his years at Hogwarts were already over, harder still was the concept that come January he and Rue would be parents. He still felt as if he hardly knew the girl, but his feelings for her were very strong indeed.In fact, Rue was the very reason that he had seated himself at one of the outdoor tables of a coffee shop that hot June afternoon. Stephen had sent her an owl earlier in the week to meet him there, he wanted to talk to her face-to-face rather than just exchanging letters.

Stephen took a sip of his iced coffee, squinting a bit in the bright sunlight. The summer was already unusually dry, he hoped that they wouldn't get into a drought. He looked over his shoulder when he heard footsteps, Stephen hoped that it would be Rue.

[daisies]

Rue calmly walked down to where she saw Stephen sitting. Her baby bump, though not enormously huge, was there, no doubt about it. She hid it a little with a flowy sundress, but it was only a matter of time until even flowy dresses would not be enough. She hadn't mentioned it to Stephen yet, but she had yet to tell her parents. Plastering a soft smile on her face, Rue waved at Stephen as she approached. Reaching the table, she stooped down to lightly kiss her boyfriend. "Hello, handsome," she cooed, gently.

[flint]

Stephen kissed back lightly, being extremely gentle, as if he were afraid that Rue might break. "Hello beautiful," said he with a smile, "I got you a coffee." He tilted his head toward the other iced coffee sitting on the table. Stephen hadn't mentioned his situation to his own parents yet, but he figured that they would know soon enough. He could only hope that they would be supportive. But as Rue's parents hadn't kicked her out of the house yet... Stephen took it as a good sign.

[daisies]

Rue smiled and sat across from Stephen. "Thank you, love," she replied. Taking a slow sip of the iced coffee, she watched her boyfriend. She wondered, as she did often, how she had gotten so lucky. He was perfect. Then, she remembered. The baby. Sure, she was happy that she was going to be a mother. Sure, school in the fall would be torturous, full of teasing and slurs about her carelessness. But she didn't care. Rue loved her unborn child, and would love him forever. "How are you?" she asked casually, a small smile gracing her face.

[flint]

"Fine," said Stephen after swallowing a mouthful of coffee. He was only mildly concerned about the future at this point, but he was hoping to get a real job, where he might make a good living- so he, Rue, and their son could be a proper family once she had finished school. But he wasn't too concerned just yet. "But more importantly," Stephen continued, "how are you?"

[daisies]

Rue bit her lip anxiously, but hid the gesture easily with a small sip of her coffee. "I'm fine," she replied bluntly, smiling gently. "Fine," she repeated, more to herself than to Stephen. Eventually this conversation was going to lead to what she had told her parents... which was absolutely nothing. She had a feeling her parents were beginning to get suspicious. Rue was practically hoarding food in her closet to keep her hunger cravings at bay. She was going to have to come clean sooner rather than later. To both her parents, and to Stephen.

[flint]

Stephen nodded and then took a long sip of coffee. Although it was early in the afternoon the day was already hotter than what he would have liked. After a moment of comfortable silence, he decided to speak. "Once I get the marks on my exams I'll be applying for an internship at our school," said Stephen, being careful to not mention NEWTs and Hogwarts, they were, after all, in the presence of several muggles.

[daisies]

This news shocked Rue. She cocked her head and gave him a quizzical smile. She glanced around, pinpointing the muggles. She turned back to him, smiling. "With what teacher?" she asked politely, so as not to give out any indication of the school. If she had said subject, people would notice. Subjects at Hogwarts were in no way like that of a normal, muggle school. Waiting patiently for his answer, Rue's hand instinctively went to her stomach. She'd been thinking of names lately. As of then, she was partial to the name Rory. But, as of then, she wasn't sure what she wanted to name her son.

[flint]

Stephen had given the matter a lot of thought, he figured with his smarts he could have his pick of the subjects, at least the ones he had taken NEWT year. He was good with potions and charms, but both the professors were young, and would probably stay around a while. In the end he had decided on astronomy, it would leave his days free to spend with Rue. That was, when he wouldn't be asleep. "Fairbanks," Stephen responded.

((OOC: Totally just made up a name, there...))

[daisies]

Rue nodded, smiling brightly. "I see. Fairbanks is a lovely teacher, and is also in desperate need of a handsome intern," she replied with a small smile. Rue absently flattened her skirts and fixed her hair, then took another sip of her coffee. A comfortable silence ensued for a few minutes, until Rue finished her coffe. She looked down at the empty cup, eyes wide. She hadn't been aware of just how fast she had been drinking. Awkwardly, she placed the cup back on the table, smiling softly at Stephen. "Oops," Rue whispered bashfully.[/blckquote]

[flint]

Stephen smiled a bit, Rue was like his own personal angel. She really was too kind, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He liked how they could just sit in comfortable silence, the girls he had gone out with before meeting her always seemed to feel the need to talk. Stephen smiled again as he noticed how Rue downed her coffee, perhaps the baby liked it. Quiely, he reached across the table to take Rue's hand, being content with the quiet. He would, of course, talk if Rue wanted, but somehow the silence seemed more relaxing.

[daisies]

Rue smiled and lightly squeezed Stephen's hand. He was like something sent from heaven. She loved him, with all her heart. Maybe it was the fact he'd gotten her pregnant with his baby, or maybe it was the hormones talking. But Rue believed that she loved him. She had to. There wasn't any explanation as to why she had sex with him. And Rue believed that Stephen loved her. Who else would stick around with the girl they impregnated, even offer to let her stay with him, should her parents kick her out?

[flint]

Stephen finished off his coffee, allowing his mind to wander a little bit. In the back of his mind there were still doubts about starting a family so young, what eighteen-year-old wouldn't think such things? He still felt guilty about it, even if most anyone in his circumstance might think similarly. But as it was, Stephen had accepted the fact that come January he and Rue would have a son. Had he known her better, Stephen might have asked for Rue's hand in marriage, but he still felt they were relative strangers. "Let's go for a walk," Stephen suggested, it would be nice to stroll around in the sunshine a while.