June 17 '74: I Love You 'Til The Sun Dies: Phoebe

[Edgar Bones]

☀︎

Idleness was going to drive Edgar over the edge.

He hadn't been able to commit one way or the other to the Order. Fabian and Gideon had, obviously, and avoiding Albus Dumbledore wasn't exactly an easy thing - he'd been doing his best. Being an Auror and being part of the Order, both had their merits and their downfalls - hopefully it was believable enough that he just needed more time to think it over. If he was being honest, though, the Gryffindor graduate knew what he wanted.

How could he just sit by and let the war drag on when he could help it come to a faster end?

He wanted to join the Order. He wanted to fight on the side of good, really be in the action. That had been the goal of becoming an Auror, but the Ministry was...changing. You didn't quite know who you could trust, with a new rumor every week about which departments were now supposedly infiltrated by the dark forces. But in the Order? Nothing would get past Dumbledore. The organization was small enough, select enough, to only allow in the most skilled and the most trustworthy of members. Ed could make the changes the world needed if he was part of that. But not only was he making changes for the world, he'd be making his and Phoebe's life together a safe one. Eventually.

It could be a world where they could marry without fear of persecution. Where their kids could grow up without fear of being teased, or worse, for having a muggle as a mum.

Sort of need her back for the plan to make sense.

Since Phoebe had left, more than a week ago now, they's spoken on the phone a few times, she'd come by to collect more of her things, her stay at her parents home extending far longer than what Ed was comfortable with. Their conversations had been the strangest shared by the longtime couple, his foolishness in delaying telling her not only about the war but also about magic in general becoming more than clear. He couldn't apologize enough, he couldn't help her come to a decision faster. She was hurting, feeling betrayed, lied to...didn't mean to take this long to tell you.

In their first tense phone call the morning after he'd spilled everything, Phoebe had spoken about the choices they had in front of them. "One of us has to give something up, and it has to be me." But I haven't agreed to the Order! he'd wanted to shout into the receiver. I'm not doing that without your support!

Because, really - could he?

But you'd resent her if she only took you back if you didn't sign on.

    She'll hate me forever if this life is forced on her.

All Edgar really had going for him was the love they shared. It had to be enough for her to want to be with him, despite the differences she now knew they had, despite the lies he'd perpetuated for years.

He just hoped it would be enough.

But the hours had turned to days, days into a week, and here he was - uncommitted to the Order, sitting with his back to the wall in their apartment, throwing a beaten tennis ball down the hall to try and perk Sadie up, at least. Their game of fetch was quiet, tepid in comparison to some they'd shared, but neither's heart was really in it. The pup hadn't been herself since Phoebe left, no more than Edgar had. It was eating him up, the waiting for her to make a decision, the feeling of failure every time he thought of how he'd treated her. Be a bloody miracle if she came back.

He heard the door to the apartment open, Sadie much more keen on finding out who was there than returning the ball to him. You're the only one with a key. Unless Phoebe had gotten Kyra or her parents to come and get more of her belongings...

"Phoebe?" As he got to his feet, ruffling his hair, brushing off his jeans, a near-crippling fear gripped the bloke. Just like any of their conversations lately, this could be the one where she said she was rid of him - or that she was in. He walked towards the door, trying to hide his anxiety, give the girl he loved a smile as she came into view. "What...what brings you by?"

[Phoebe Bones]

If she stood at this door any longer, Edgar was going to realize she was there and worry about what was wrong with her. She could hear the thump of Sadie's tennis ball being thrown every so often, and she wondered how the two of them were doing. She knew Edgar wasn't doing well, that much had been obvious through every phone call they had shared. And she hadn't been back to the apartment more than once since she left, sending her family and friends to grab her more clothing when they had time. She'd been driving into the city for work, her coworkers well aware that something was off. But she could hardly explain what was wrong to her family and best friend, let alone the people she worked with. And while Kyra had offered to let Phoebe come and stay with her, she needed time away from everyone to think about this.

And so she had thought. And she had heard from Edgar that his siblings were home from school, so she had taken a chance on Amelia being at the house. And while she'd almost made her mind, she knew she needed to hear about magic from a different perspective. One that wasn't about the war. She needed to see the pureness behind it, learn more than Edgar had offered her. And so she had asked questions, she had listened. And standing in the Bones' kitchen, she realized she couldn't give her life up over something this small. Sure, it the grand scheme of things it was a big secret to hide. But they had reasons - good reasons - and they were her family. Amelia was her best friend and little sister. Roderick was the younger brother that gave her a hard time. And Edgar? God, she loved him so much that every second she had been at her parents house her heart had been breaking into pieces.

So she had gone home and packed her things back up, and insisted that she take a taxi back to her place. Her father had paid for it, wonderful man he was, and told her that no matter what decision he made that they would support her. It was almost easier, not having them know the truth. She'd convinced them that Edgar was joining the British special forces, and was hoping to get into a special section that kept him closer to him but would require extended periods of time away on missions. And with a war happening only a few countries away, it was believable enough.

She took a breath and unlocked the door, setting her suitcase down inside as the sound of paws running towards her became louder. She smiled down at Sadie, the dog whining with happiness at her. She leaned over to scratch Sadie behind the ears when she heard the familiar footsteps of Edgar, and looked up as he said her name. She gave him a smile, closing the door behind her quietly before she turned back to look at him.

"I wanted to talk in person about everything, I figure I've been gone long enough," she said before closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around his waist for a hug. "I've missed you."

[Edgar Bones]

Phoebe was here, standing in their flat, their dog and her suitcase at her feet. Suitcase is a good sign, right? Unless it's empty and she's just bringing it back to fill up - His thoughts were cut off by his own wide smile at her admission of being gone long enough, and it was with welcome relief that he opened his arms to her. Edgar's heart was pounding against the wall of his chest, and he closed his eyes, holding her to him. "I've missed you too, more than I knew was possible," he murmured, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. You've been gone long enough? So you're back? Rightness was returning to their world, bit by bit. She was here, and that was a very, very, significant step forward for them. While he didn't expect that he was wholly forgiven yet, at least Phoebe was willing to come back to move forward with him. The impulse to go and get the engagement ring still hidden in their room was a huge one to overcome, but Ed pressed it down as he quietly held her. Baby steps. That'll only freak her out. After a time he pulled back slightly, gently brushing hair from her face, nudging her chin up so he could see her properly. Merlin, I love you.

His words were low, tremulous with feeling, and he continued, "But I'm so glad you're back." He leaned down to kiss her - not a desperate kiss like their last, but one of warm relief, of longtime love. This woman was his world, and he'd come too close to losing her because of his own stupid mistakes. Never keeping anything from you again.

[Phoebe Bones]

Being back in his arms made her feel better than she could have imagined. She knew this should have been and easy decision for her to come to, he was the love of her life. But the turmoil that had been stirring in her heart was still there - at least it had been. Feeling his arms around her, their dog whining at their feet, it all made sense. Because this could be a good thing. He had only meant to protect her by keeping this secret. The whole family, they had wanted her to know. Edgar had wanted her to know - but it wasn't something you could just tell anyone. She looked up at Edgar as he nudged her face up so that she was looking directly at him.

His words were kind and heartfelt, and she gave him a small smile before his lips met hers. It was a much nicer kiss than last time, one that didn't leave her feeling like her heart was ripping in two. Taking a step back, she gave him a smile. "I know you didn't. I always knew that. I just needed to clear my head. I love you Edgar, and I'm not going anywhere ever again. I'm with you no matter what happens." She reached down to pick up Sadie, whose whine had turned into tiny yips. "Yes, you too. I'm not leaving you again either." She gave the dog a scratch behind the ears, looking back to Edgar.

"But I want to know more, now that I know. You have to tell me."

[Edgar Bones]

Phoebe's words got both his mind and heart racing, and the impulse to propose had never been so strong. Whatever time she'd needed - and the horribleness it'd been to be in this purgatory - was worth this feeling. No matter what happens? Hope you mean that, love - really mean it. To think that a week ago he'd been moments away from giving her a call that would've kept this reunion from them...you're an idiot. Should've had more faith in her. Ed watched lovingly as his girl took up their dog, Sadie nearly beside herself in her excitement. He cleared his throat, nodding at her next, and hefted her suitcase.

"You're more than I deserve, Phoebe Adkins." He kissed her on the cheek, getting a nudge out of there by the possessive Sadie. He chuckled and gave the dog's ears a scratch with his free hand. "I'm an open book, whatever you want to know. No more secrets, I swear on your life." More important than mine. Nodding into the apartment, Ed took her suitcase into their room, buzzing with energy. She was back. She was willing to join him in this - finally truly understanding what it was she was signing on for. This was a real start for them, and marriage seemed like only a formality now that everything was out in the open. Don't worry, it's still going to happen, he thought as if the girl could read his mind. Which he wouldn't be surprised if she could. Your dad's gonna kill me if I don't make an honest woman out of you soon. And Phoebe Bones had a nice ring to it, didn't it? Setting down her suitcase, he wrapped his arms around her - dog and all - and the little family in the making rather fell onto the bed. After a few bounces, Sadie settled in - snuggling into Phoebe - and Ed couldn't truthfully say he wasn't doing the same. Can you tell we missed you? "So what can I help you understand? What've you been up to this week, anyway?"

[Phoebe Bones]

She was still scared. Accepting something she couldn't understand, something she couldn't control now or ever...it wasn't easy. She would never get to experience this part of his world. She was a - muggle was it? - and that meant there would simply be things she would never get to understand. He could show her magic, tell her stories. And she had decided that she could be okay with that. With a war going on that she barely knew about, knowing less was probably better.

But she was too curious, and she wanted to know everything. Amelia had given her the run down of basics of the war, and she'd bother Edgar more about it at a different time. She laughed as Sadie nudged him away from her, the dog possessive over her attention. She followed Edgar down to their room, smiling at his back. Of course he wasn't out of the dog house yet, he owed her plenty of honey-do's for keeping something this big a secret. Besides, he could do magic. She was going to take advantage of that.

She laughed as they fell onto the bed, both her dog and her boyfriend snuggling into her. She ran a hand through Edgar's hair, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms. "So how did you get my letters while you were at magic school? I know your mother sent them, but do you just use the post office?" They had to have a different method, maybe some sort of magic post office. "If you don't drive, how does everyone get around?"

[Edgar Bones]

This was the best Ed had felt in a long time. Even before their fight, he'd always had to watch his words around her when certain topics came up. It'd been hell while drunk, especially when palling around with the twins, to maintain keeping the secrets secret. But now? Now he could finally be honest with her, about everything. His work, his mates, his family, his aspirations - it was all going to be on the table. An overwhelming sense of relief flooded through him as Phoebe played with his hair, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she laughed. The young man let out a laugh at his own at her first choices of questions about the magical world, not out of anything negative, just...it's so you to want to know the practicalities.

"Owls." He beamed at her, nudging himself forward to swiftly kiss her lips before jumping excitedly into an explanation. "Owls, babe. At school there's an owlery, big ol' tower for them to live in. I don't know fully how they do it, but they're beyond brilliant. You just write your letter and address it, tie it on its leg, and it'll go deliver it for you. To anyone, anywhere! So I'd do that, and when you'd write something back, the owl would come bring it to me at breakfast. Fabs and Gideon always could tell when it was you, immediately got this big grin," he admitted, chuckling and demonstrating. "There are post offices too, but most people just have a family owl at home. So, you know what," he said, still beaming ear to ear as he shifted to tickle her side, "we can go get one tomorrow, if you want. That'd cover your next question, too! There are a couple ways to get around and - don't laugh - broomsticks are one. Can also go through fireplaces, but that's messy, and flying isn't efficient. Most of us do what's called Apparition, it's kind of..." Fumbling for words - how could he properly explain something so magical? - Ed stared at the ceiling as he did his best to find an accurate comparison, breaking again into a smile as he found one. "Right, so - Star Trek, yeah? From when we were kids? Beam me up, Scotty!" he declared in his best Captain Kirk. "Apparition's kind of like that, need a license and everything, like driving. You picture where you want to go, and basically you just - er - get squeezed through space until you come out the other end. Not the most comfortable thing, but I can take you with me so you can see for yourself." 

sh*t, but this was going to be fun! Edgar knew the more serious questions would come up, from both her and himself. Because what had propelled her home tonight? Had she just come to this of her own accord, or had Phoebe talked with Fabian or Gideon, or even his family? And he had much more to fill her in about with the war outside their apartment, and with her blessing would enchant her watch to give her some measure of protection...

But maybe tonight would be simply this. Snuggling, rekindling, sharing bits and pieces of his world with her...

[Phoebe Bones]

Did he just say owls? Like the bird?
       He did. They use birds.
Kyra is going to find that interesting.
       If you can tell her, you know.

She was doing her best to keep up with the information, the excitement in Edgar's voice keeping her spirits up. She had burning questions, but ones she needed to think more over. Because she wanted to be here through thick and thin - she had said she would be here through it all. But her doubts were getting to her. What if he didn't agree to what she wanted? She'd had time to think, and she did want to make it work. But that would mean compromises, from both of them. For her it would be simple, because she was going to give him hell about house chores. She'd been doing things by hand for years and he had the ability to use magic? He would be paying dearly for that.

She squirmed as he tickled her, clearing her worries from her mind. They could get an owl, just like that. Just walk into a store and pick one up? That sounded mad. This whole thing sounded mad. But she couldn't deny what she had seen, and she would have to trust him that there were owl stores. Quite honestly, she was wondering where they kept all this magical stuff hidden from people.

And he had told her not to laugh but broomsticks was a ridiculous method of travel. Even Kyra would have given them something more modern. Flying cars maybe, that would make more sense. Although this whole concept of Apparition was making her a little hesitant to go on any sort of magical adventure. What was this, a television show? Squeezing through space and time? None of those methods of travel sounded even remotely safe or comfortable.

Leaning back so she could see him better, she couldn't help but grin. "You sound like am absolute madman, and yet like a kid in a candy store all at the same time. You're going to have to tell Kyra all of this, because I don't think I could make it sound as remotely as interesting as you do. But do you really think keeping an owl in the apartment is...well, normal? Why don't you all use telephones? It seems like it would be a much easier method of communicating. And less messy."

[Edgar Bones]

Speaking as freely as he was about his world was making Edgar very nearly feel drunk; he knew he was talking her ear off, but he couldn't help it! He had so much to share with her after a lifetime of holding stories and details of his life back, and while he wanted to sit her down and go from his birth to the present in full...at least you're keeping to her questions, eh? The girl laughed at his tickles, relaxing as he was, and Ed grinned up at her as he leaned over to rub Sadie's tummy. The dog had been as quick as he was to brighten up again, and Ed felt knots of tension finally leaving him as they spoke. He laughed at Phoebe's incredibly apt depiction of him, letting himself fall onto his back as she spoke, hand coming up to give her leg a squeeze. Unfortunately, Pheebs brought something up he'd hoped they could put off for a bit yet - the question of Kyra - but even that couldn't get him down tonight.

"I mean, we can get a phone, owls are just a helluva lot more fun," he said with a pat to her leg, grinning. "But phones and other electronics, in areas with lots of magic they don't work right. Owls are a way of avoiding that frustration, even if it does take some time to go back-and-forth. Why don't we just go and see some owls tomorrow, and you can think on it," Ed suggested, mainly keen to just get his girl to Diagon Alley. She was going to spaz like a muggleborn first year at seeing a wizarding center like that, and he'd been waiting much too long for that to wait any more.

"And Pheebs, I - er - " He fumbled for words, not wanting her to leave again when she'd just gotten back, but how could this not piss her off? Having to keep this secret from her best friend? Meeting her wondering hazel eyes, Ed continued, "I can't - we can't tell Kyra about this stuff. I'm sorry babe, I know it's not what you want to hear. But I can tell you because - well - we're building a life together, y'know? She'd need to be in the same sort of situation to find out." If somebody wanted to step things up with the blonde muggle girl, then that somebody would have the responsibility of filling her in. And while Edgar would've paid just about anything to be witness to Kyra finding out about magic, after years of her sometimes nearly getting things right, it wasn't his place. They couldn't just go around telling every muggle they knew! There had to be a commitment, a shared future, like what he envisioned for himself and Phoebe. "I'm actually not legally allowed to tell you until we're married," he went on with a guilty smile, ears reddening. "But I figured you'd truly kill me if I waited that long."

[Phoebe Bones]

It seemed so ridiculous that there were places where electronics just didn’t work because there was too much magic. That was the kind of insane thing you just didn’t even think was possible, but he was sitting there telling her it like it wasn’t a big deal. This was the craziest and coolest thing that had ever happened in her life, and here he was - telling her she couldn’t share it?

Well, f*ck.

Because she had considered the reasons why Edgar (and the Prewett twins) would keep this a secret from her and Kyra. Obviously this was a secret to all people like her, this magical world. And based on what little she knew about it and the war, it was a matter of safety. But this was what they had debated at the bar, whose safety was this secret protecting? Non-magical people or the magical? It wasn’t like their world was an accepting one either, and their country was founded on invading other countries and taking them. These magical people that hated the non-magical ones surely must have some fear.

But that has been a conversation she had with Kyra, the words magic and wizard tumbling out of her before she’d even really thought it through, and this was Kyra’s dream - a world like Edgar’s. What kind of backwards world was it that they expected people to keep secrets like that until people were married. Oh she would have absolutely murdered him if he’d kept this from her until they were married. I’ve only been counting down the days to every important date for you to ask me.

”Well, uh-“ she said as she sat up on the bed, giving him a guilty grin, “I already told her. Oh don’t be mad - how was I supposed to keep it from her? She’s my best friend and this was a really big decision to just spring on me Edgar.” Her fake story had worked well but she had needed to truly know what Kyra thought she should do. “She’s not gonna tell anyone, and besides if we get an owl tomorrow I think she’d noticed.”

[Edgar Bones]

Edgar slowly sat up with her as Phoebe spoke, revealing that she'd, apparently, told Kyra everything. F*ck. He considered her anxiously for a few moments before sighing, leaning his head into her shoulder. It wasn't that long ago, in the grand scheme of things, that witches or wizards who told muggles their secret were severely punished. It was worse in the Americas, if his memory of History of Magic was correct, but breaching the Statute was more than a slap-on-the-wrist from his Ministry too. It was different when marriage came into play, there was no law against someone like him marrying a muggle. But his future wife's best friend? 

She can't know. A heavy feeling grew in his gut as he realized the position he was now in, and while he knew Phoebe would need to talk things out with Kyra - if he hadn't told her until now, how could she think she could tell her friend? She can't know. How long would he have to summon Obliviators before someone somehow found out about Kyra knowing? The Ministry had secret ways about these things - or was that just propaganda?...

You could do it yourself -

    Pheebs wouldn't forgive you for that.

Maybe he could ask the twins, although he'd hate to put that burden on his friends. They'd learned a wide variety of magic within their training to become Aurors, though, and the Prewetts were more than capable of performing such a delicate spell... "I appreciate how big of a decision it is for you, that you needed to talk it out with someone," he said carefully, taking a deep breath as he sat back up. "Scratch the owl idea, just me getting ahead of myself. We'll...we'll figure it out." Ed leaned forward to kiss her temple, feeling, the more he thought of it, that the Prewetts were the answer here. They would understand, be discreet, be kind to the muggle girl - and he wouldn't be dragged into a hearing at the Ministry. He'd owe them big time, yet again...Why do they keep you around? Mind on his friends, he chuckled and grabbed on the change of topic, meeting his girl's eye. "You saw Fabian this week, didn't you? Did he tell you what we got up to, the night we fought?"

[Phoebe Bones]

He was obviously upset that she had told Kyra (she hadn’t intended too, it just sort of happened!), and she couldn’t shake the guilt that was hitting her. She had tried to keep it to herself, feeding Kyra a line about Edgar wanting to join the “muggle military” and how it had been his plan all along. But with drinking came looser lips, and this was such a huge secret he had kept from her. How many years had it been since she and Kyra had first started investigating the unknown, the paranormal, the magical. Reading horoscopes and tarot cards, trying to predict what kind of futures they would have. Phoebe could tell that her exposing the secret was a big deal, but it wasn’t like Kyra was going to say anything! She hadn’t even said a single word about what had happened two days ago...

Edgar was speaking, and he wasn’t immediately telling her they would have to do something insane like wipe her best friend’s memory, but she wasn’t sure what the rest of it meant. What did they need to figure out? Other than how to conceal an owl, because she didn’t want to admit it but the idea of having such an animal as a pet of sorts, well it was kind of exciting. She wanted to go to this place he was talking about, where you could buy an owl. Before she could tell him that, he was changing the subject to Fabian and she had to laugh, because unfortunately she had seen what they had gotten up to. But another pang of guilt was hitting her, because she had made Fabian promise not to mention exactly how that day had turned out. ”Edgar, I need to tell you something. We were marching against the National Front and well, things got out of hand. But it wasn’t just them. I know you told me about this evil wizard and his followers but it just seemed so, so out of this world?”

It was hard to believe something that you had never seen, but she’d seen the flash of green light. Fabian had almost become a completely different person in front of her, his normal playful deamenor suddenly serious. He’d gotten them out of there, someplace safe and away from the panic that had immediately broken out as a man who had to have been her age hit the ground. ”But they were there attacking people just like me and god - I was so scared. And I knew I had to come home, and tell you to do what you have to do.”

[Edgar Bones]

While Ed was about to offer to show her the result of that night, seeing as she was laughing as if she knew the joke, he wasn't fast enough. Her demeanor shifted back into seriousness, and thoughts of The-Kyra-Problem flew from his mind faster than a runaway Bludger as Phoebe spoke up. He'd known that there were plans to go to the march earlier in the week, but he'd stayed behind to give her space. He'd known that Fabian had still attended it, had assumed that Kyra and Phoebe were there too, but Fabian hadn't given a hint that things had gone as wrong as she was describing. The National Front and Death Eaters, all in one place? The followers of Voldemort were...targeting muggle affairs? It made sense, now that he was thinking about it - but now he felt like an absolute dolt for not showing up. He could've helped, made sure that nothing happened to the innocents. While Ed was relieved that this had, in part, led to her change of heart...his own was full of an anger only Voldemort and his followers could bring out in him. He willed the hand holding her knee to relax, not having realized he was clenching it. He swallowed, murmuring an apology. I should've been there.

Eyes searching hers in concern, he worked out, "Phoebe, were you - were you hurt?" I'm going to kill Fabian. How could his best mate not have told him about any of this?! "I'm glad this brought you home, but I - I never wanted you to see that side of wizardkind. I never wanted you to be in that sort of situation." I don't want you to fear someone like me. Because the same sorts of spells that the dark forces used, well - they could soon be coming from his own mouth, pointed at them. He would do anything he had to, to bring them down. That's what he had trained for while learning how to be an Auror. And now, with her blessing, he would be going further into the war than even the Ministry-run force was. 

[Phoebe Bones]

She had so many questions that Fabian had brushed aside, one of her oldest friends refusing to tell her anything. He had stated with them to keep her and Kyra safe, but it had been so clear that he’d wanted to go and fight. And there was something noble about what Edgar and the twins wanted to do, especially when she considered how helpless she has been in the situation. There were battles she could fight - ones that involved court rooms and law books, but this was much bigger than her knowledge. And she was part of the reason Edgar wanted to fight, that much she knew. To give her - to give them a future.

“I’m not hurt, I promise. Fabian wouldn’t let anything happen to either me or Kyra, you know that.” He’d protected them just as Edgar wanted to do, like he would do. She didn’t doubt the abilities of her boyfriend for a second, although she’d seen very little of what he was capable of. “I’m not scared Edgar, not of you or of magic. Well, I’m a little scared about magic,” she added. Was it a limitless art? Were their rules to spells?

“Promise me you will take me someplace magic tomorrow?”

[Edgar Bones]

Ed knew that his girlfriend must've made Fabian promise not to say a word about the march, as she was still working out how she felt about him and their relationship then, but knowing that she'd been in danger while he'd just uselessly been here...Fabs, should've sent me a message to come help. He'd definitely be having words with his mate about this, for however relieved he was that no harm had come to the girls, and for however much he knew that Fabs would've done anything to protect them, he and Phoebe were trying to move forward together. And he wanted to know the details, and discuss the possibilities - how many Death Eaters, were any recognizable, what was the Order or the Auror Office doing about this, could this be the start of the dark forces infiltrating muggle events...And so he nodded at her words, tension straightening his back, until she went on. He had to smile, and took her hand securely in his. You're always reading my mind. "I imagine so," he said, her potential fear of magic - and of him - having been one of the things holding him back for so long. "Whatever I can do to alleviate any of that fear, just tell me." A little fear is healthy, though, he continued silently. While he wouldn't've wanted her to be exposed to Death Eaters and the harsh realities of his world, at least she now knew to be wary around wizards she didn't know, just in case they were fighting for the wrong side.

"I promise," he agreed with a smile her way, relief coloring his statement. Pheebs wanted to see the world he knew, and that could only be a good sign. Now...when do I get out that ring? She was promising to be with him, in the face of everything, and he'd long known that she was the woman he wanted by his side for the long haul. A proposal was his next step, but...tomorrow will be a lot to take in, without that. Her birthday's coming up, can plan something special... So tomorrow - Diagon Alley would be a blast, certainly, get her a Wizarding brew at the Leaky and go shopping. Not for an owl, though, right? She was right, having an owl around the apartment wouldn't be the most "normal" thing, and after Kyra's memories were taken care of, they didn't need any signs of oddities around their place to get her curious. Wonder how she'd like dress robes... Or, perhaps more tempting - Hogsmeade. The years that they'd dated during secondary school, never being able to go on a date besides the holidays...he'd always wanted to spoil her at Puddifoot's, even though it was the most ridiculous place, watch her eyes light up at Honeydukes...Could take a walk up to the castle gate, maybe Albus would let you in. There was so much to share with Phoebe now, so much of his life to fully let her into, that it felt as though the world was at their fingertips. Mind eagerly turning their options over, Ed let out a laugh, realizing - "That means I could just take you home, you know. Fancy learning how to fly on a broom?" He shot her a wink, teasing, and continued, "I'll leave it up to you - stay in London, or head up to Scotland?"