liam ++ tremble in my veins

[BETHANY ANNE HEAVENSBEE]

Beth laughed lightly, "Neither do I." This was weird in part because they had no idea what sibling relationships were like and it was a strange new idea, on top of everything else they had to deal with. "I always wanted a sibling..." She said, hoping that didn't sound creepy. She just wanted Liam to know that she wanted to get to know him. In movies and books siblings sometimes fought, but always loved each other, they could be best friends and she wanted that in her life. Maybe Liam didn't, but she was willing to take this slow and try to be family.

She was living in Hogsmede for a while now, so really he could visit whenever they had a trip, if he wanted too of course. But he didn't have to go too out of his way for that, and she hoped that they could be real siblings one day.

"Did he ever mention us? His first family?" She asked. Liam probably had questions if he hadn't---Beth couldn't bear to call him dad now that there was someone who really had him as a father.

[WILLIAM LAWRENCE HEAVENSBEE]

Liam vaguely remembered wanting a sibling when he was younger, but then James became his best mate and James had siblings, along with an endless list of cousins. Even being within close proximity of all the Potter/Weasleys made him feel overwhelmed. Having a big family was phenomenon for Liam, an only child with no aunts or uncles. But it was also fun. Liam thought maybe he'd like having a big family one day. He smiled lightly.

And then Liam had to answer a very delicate question. "Not really." He said, trying to figure out a way to put this. Not really was a horrible start, though. "I don't remember when I learned that you existed, somewhere out there, but it was something I tried not to bring up because Dad looked kind of sad anytime I did."

Liam took his hand back and ran it through his hair nervously. "I'm sorry. I don't know much, and what I do know, I don't know how to say."

[BETHANY ANNE HEAVENSBEE]

Bethany nodded. She understood him. Lawrence had cut all ties with them and moved on and made a new family, why would he bring them up? It did hurt a bit, but that wasn't Liam's fault. She sipped her tea gingerly. It had gotten luke warm since they'd been talking... and awkwardly looking at each other. But she was secretly glad he looked sad whenever he spoke of his earlier family, sadness meant regret, and that was enough for her.

"Well, mom's name is Marie. They went to college together and well she got pregnant with me and had to drop out. He graduated and married her. We lived in Privet Drive and most of my parents energy went into pretending everything was fine, but they fought-- shouting matches, nothing too serious. but they seemed happy enough. When I was nine I woke up one morning he was gone. Mom said that they'd agreed on a divorce and he'd promptly moved out. She never told me anything else and I never heard from him again." Beth really heard her own story this time and it felt as bad as maybe it really was. But that was life, no one's family was perfect, all couples argued, and her parents chose just to call it off. Beth shrugged lightly and sipper her tea again.

"Since then its been me and mom, she nannies for some rich people in London, and I went off to Hogwarts, which really made me think i was dreaming...." Beth laughed lightly and cut herself off, feeling a little silly. She had been a muggle child after all, one with good grades but nothing so spectacular as being a witch of course. And Liam knew the rest, she worked at a book store and didn't have much going on in her life, until now of course.

[WILLIAM LAWRENCE HEAVENSBEE]

Liam listened to everything she said with a serious expression on his face - not that he really made any expressions in the last hour. This was a rather serious affair. He looked at her as she spoke, since it was only polite since she was speaking to him, but sometimes he also nodded and looked at his cup which was now drained of tea.

He didn't know what was more strange: knowing or not knowing. It was odd growing up aware he had a sister somewhere but having her be almost imaginary. Now, actually knowing her life story, it was equally as difficult trying to reconcile what he was hearing to the father he knew. That man felt like two different people. Well three - since for Liam his father already had two identities, good and bad.

However, he was coming towards a conclusion about this whole relationship, and that was even though his father may've screwed up, that didn't mean his relationship with Beth had to have anything to do with that. They could have a good relationship. Liam had seem the Potter family; he knew what a good, large family looked like. He could do it. Or at least try, and if it didn't work out, he knew at least that he gave it his best shot. And even it only lead to trouble and painful experiences, he was going to put in his best effort. Why? Well ...

... he was just a goddamn good person.

And he often wondered about where that was getting him in life. He was cursed with a combination of ethical behavior and awareness. James could get away with getting what he wanted because half the time he was oblivious. Liam, on the other hand, could analyze every possibility and always choose the most morally responsible one.

Beth mentioned Hogwarts and a wistful smile crept onto his face. This at least Liam could relate to. Absentee father? Not exactly, though his dad wasn't around as much.

"It does feel like your dreaming, doesn't it?" He asked, looking over at her, his face softened by the remembrance of fond memories. "And I knew I was going to Hogwarts. First time I saw the castle - well was on the boats of course - the girl next to me actually grabbed my hand. I would've been embarrassed, but I understood what she was going through. And later she told me how thankful she was that I didn't let go, and we actually dated for a year ..." Liam almost chuckled to himself.

"Anyway." he said, with a slightly apologetic smile for that tangent. "I can't speak for dad, and I don't know why he did the things that he did, but ..."

Liam didn't know how to say what he wanted to say.

"... well that now that I met you, I can't ignore you -Not that I'd want to!" he said, raising his hands. This wasn't going smoothly. "But while it's strange, I want to get to know you. More. And see you sometimes. I mean ..." He gestured towards her.

"You are my sister. And I am your brother. And ... we can take care of each other - can't we?"

[BETHANY ANNE HEAVENSBEE]

Beth smiled at him widely. He hadn't said as much in their whole conversation as he did just then. It was a sweet story actually, about riding in the boat and holding a gril's hand. "Oh that's sweet!" She said. Somehow she already felt like a protective older sister and wanted to know about his ex-girlfriends and if they were treating him well. "I dated a boy I tripped over on my way to my table after being sorted. Fell flat on my face."She said, exchanging a story of first year relationships when things were all about holding hands.

Beth smiled at him and reached out for his hand again. "I'm glad you said that, because I'd love to really get to know you. I live in Hogsmede actually, above Honeydukes.. well the building next to it... so you could visit me whenever you get a weekend, if you have time." She suggested, letting him know where she was, should he ever need her. "We can take care of each other and be friends, even if it's weird for a while." She nodded, glad he agreed and didn't want to just run away from her.

"I do wonder if maybe you can get a message to dad for me, I would like to meet him..." She said uncertainly. There was no way Beth could pass up a chance to know her father.

[WILLIAM LAWRENCE HEAVENSBEE]

Liam smiled to himself. He often did that kinds of things that women thought were "sweet". His mother actually teared up when she heard the story of how he met his first girlfriend. She actually ran over to hug her "little gentleman." His dad just shook his hand and winked. First girlfriend at thirteen and all, a bit impressive. He flinched at her story - falling on her face at the Sorting Ceremony when all eyes were on her? "Oof. That sounds rough."

And he glad Beth was in agreement. It was a bit of an awkward situation, but she was family now. And like he decided earlier, it could work. It was going to take used someone else knowing his personal life and all his family drama (apart from James and the Potter's.) And it was cool she lived in Hogsmeade, although he didn't expect her to be so close. How hadn't he'd seen her before?

Liam's face hardened a little bit at the mention of dad. Just because he was always imagining that encounter - "Hey dad, I met my sister that you abandoned." Maybe he wouldn't actually say that. Liam wanted to hear the whole story. He just wanted to understand his life and why it was unfolding this way. Since he had to go to school, he probably would have to write a letter. "Sure, no problem."

"I think he lives in London now." Liam said, thinking aloud. Yes, he was pretty sure he moved back into the flat he and Liam's mom lived in when Liam was born. That made visiting him a little more difficult - being surrounded by memories and pictures of better days. "You know ... 'case you wanted to see him."

[BETHANY ANNE HEAVENSBEE]

Beth shrugged with a laugh. "It was ages ago now." Beth said. She wasn't too memorable, for the first year she was known as that girl who tripped, but after that it wasn't really a big deal as new first years moved in. Beth wasn't all that memorable at school after that.

But then they were back to dads and she shifted lightly. He lived in London? Her mother worked in London, lived in Privet Drive still, but all the same. He was so close, after all this time. "Oh, well I mean I'll write him myself but he never writes back, so if you could just say I'd really like to hear from him.." It seemed so much to ask somehow. Beth took a final sip of her tea and put the cup back in the saucer with a light clink.

"Well, anyway," Beth said segueing awkwardly off the topic of their dad, since it was sort of touchy and what not. Not like she really had an any follow up topic...

She realized he might have had big plans for the day that she had promptly disrupted. "I'm so sorry, I bet you had things to do today!" She said turning a little pink around the ears.

[WILLIAM LAWRENCE HEAVENSBEE]

Liam was troubled to hear that dad not only abandoned his first child, but was also blatantly ignoring her while she made efforts to reestablish contact. It hurt mostly because Liam couldn't believe that the man he grew up loving, respecting, and wanting to be like could end up seeming such a failure as a human being. All this information was like repeated swings of a hammer that was shattering his childhood. His whole world was a sham, and Liam was just feeling more and more depressed. He tried to hide it though, "Yeah, no problem." he said averting his eyes. "Will do."

Liam actually didn't have any more errands to run, but he took this moment to escape. "Oh, right, thanks for reminding me," he said, standing up and pushing his chair in. He reached into his pocket for money to pay for the tea. "You paid for the book." he reminded her, in case she was going to argue.

And now he stood there, wondering how this goodbye was going to go. What was the social etiquette for parting with your long-lost sibling? "It was good meeting you, finally. We'll keep in touch." The last part almost sounded like a question. They decided that right? Keeping in touch, that is.

[BETHANY ANNE HEAVENSBEE]

Bethany took his money for the tea with a grateful smile. It would be rude to insist. He was her little brother though, so it seemed mean to make him pay. There was an awkward moment as he got up and they each wondered how did you say goodbye? Beth stood up and gave him a quick hug. "I'm glad to meet you too," She said with an honest smile. She had a brother. A brother. The thought made her glow. They had years to make up for, but hopefully this would be the start of something good.

"And yeah, we'll stay in touch for sure." She finally found family, she wasn't going to let him go just because their father let go of her.

With that, the day seemed over and she sat back down as he left, looking into her tea cup. Life was a strange creature.