Thanks to Roro


Patrick Dubois and Vanessa Campbell.

One of the most complicating relationships for two complicated people.

They've known each other since they were 17 and have had their ups, downs, and places somewhere in the middle.

These are the scenes of their good times and bad times, hurting and happy, shocking and surprising....with the occasional friend appearing in some of the scenes. Almost anyone who knows them regardless if it's personal or not can honestly tell you....

It was a match made in heaven.

[Scene 1:] It's been a year since the separated couple last saw each other in Diagon Alley. Vanessa and Pat have barely kept in touch since then. Now she's coming to possibly look for work and a place to live....Patrick is standing in the airport, without her knowing, ready to apologize....

Vanessa ran a hand through her hair as she walked back into the airport, after getting off the airplane. She had already gotten her suitcase and she pulled it behind her as she walked through the airport. She hoped that Bonnie, Hayley, and Jason were alright, but even though she hoped, she knew that they would be. Bonnie was at Hogwarts while Hayley and Jason were staying with one of her neighbors in Hawaii.

She had come back here in London to try to look for a job and a place to live. It had been almost over a year since she had last seen her ex, Patrick, and she regretted taking his advice now, but she might as well. Maybe moving back here would be good for 'her' family now. Just as she walked past the screening of people and into the lobby, there, right there, happened to be Mr. Patrick Dubois. Ugh, why was he here?

The brunette headed straight over to him, clutching onto her cell phone as tightly as possible and onto the suitcase that followed behind herself. "Patrick?" She asked, curious as to why he was here.

Patrick Dubois stood in the airport of London, waiting to see that familiar dark brown hair. Most would call it 'idiotic' to be standing there, waiting for his ex to show up. He had just got done with work and had apparated to London. Luckily he was able to get on leave to come see her. A million things were running through his head. He could call himself a complete git for agreeing to split things in the first place. In fact, he had even tried to get over her by dating other women. Call him crazy, but any amount of the girls he had dated couldn't compare to her.

In his hand was a bouquet of a mixture of flowers, mostly purple. He did remember her favorite color was purple no matter how long they had been apart. He paced back and forth anxiously. Most people walking by probably thought he was a freak or something. A few words would be mumbled out here and there. Then he realized his freakiness needed to stop and he stood there patiently. Her flight should be here.

That's when he saw her. She was walking toward him with her suitcase. "Vanessa," he smiled seeing her. His focus was on her rather than the flowers. He quickly remembered and said, "Oh these are for you." He held them out to her.

As Vanessa was walking towards Patrick, she couldn't help but notice his suit that he had on and the flowers he was holding. Was he waiting for his girlfriend or something? Just the mention of Patrick having another girlfriend made her shiver and she shook the thought off. So what was he doing here anyhow?

She smiled as Patrick had said her name and then there was a pause. Okay...well this is awkward. Then he said that the flowers were for her and she raised an eyebrow. "Oh, thank you, Patrick. They're really beautiful...and purple." She laughed slightly. The brunette wouldn't have thought that he would remember her favorite color. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?" She asked curiously, directing her attention from the flowers back up to Patrick. It's not that she didn't mind him being here and the flowers were amazing, it just...seemed strange as to why he was here. He couldn't have missed her, right?

Patrick let out a little sigh of relief as she didn't reject the flowers or anything. So he didn't spend all that money on them for nothing. Good. "I'm glad you like them," he said to her with a smile. What did she seriously think he was going to forget the color she was always wearing and talking about? Nope. He by sure was not. He had a good memory and of course to teach Transfiguration you need a good memory.

"Uhh...." what was he going to say? 'I'm here because I miss you and realize breaking up wasn't a good thing'? "I heard you were going to be in town and thought I'd come see you," he explained. Good thing he was able to contact Jason for this. He looked at the people around him and then back at her. He wasn't good with these apology things.

"I really do, thank you by the way." Vanessa smiled and looked down at the flowers, touching one of the soft petals and looking back up at Patrick. He was still the same-old Patrick who she loved, sweet, caring, okay wait, no she shouldn't be thinking about that. They weren't together, ugh hold yourself together, Vanessa!

Wait a second...how did he know she was going to be in town? Only her neighbors and Bonnie, Hayley and Jason knew. Well maybe Jason told Thalia and that's how he knew? Or maybe he was asking about her? Hmmm... "So, you couldn't just call me up and we could have meeted at a restaurant or something?" The brunette laughed. "You really didn't have to come all the way to the airport to give me flowers and say hello, you're probably missing work at the moment too, right?" She said, looking down at her watch that was placed on her wrist. It seemed as if he was probably missing work. "Anyways, I'm happy that you came, it was really...sweet of you." The former Gryffindor said with a smile and leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek, but stopped halfway and went back to her original position.

*FACEPALM*

He smiled again as she went on more about the flowers. That was a good sign. As long as there was no yelling involved...or tears, he was happy. Sigh, he had missed her soooo much! It was hard to even go on to the next day without thinking about her. This was exactly why he needed to be here at this very moment. It had taken a lot of thinking and considering to be standing here. It needed to be done though and things needed to be fixed.

"Umm...no," he answered her question. That would have been more awkward then it was right now. It would seem more like a date and it wouldn't have been as special as he was trying to get this moment to be. "Oh no it's not a problem. I wanted to be here to see you get off the plane, and I'm on break from work anyway," he explained to her. It wasn't a big deal he didn't think. Then for a second it almost seemed as if she was going to kiss him on the cheek but backed off at last second. Uhh okay.

"Listen Vanessa, I came here today to apologize. For ever agreeing to break us up. I've spent a year without you and tried to find someone to replace that empty feeling, but I couldn't. And I don't think I ever can," he added, looking down at his feet and back up at her. Yeah that was as good as he was going to get.

Vanessa just smiled. She was really suprised as seeing him here in the airport...for her. It made her feel special, for some reason, it just did. Oh okay, so he was on break...but something made her feel as if he was lying. Oh well, what does it matter now? "Oh okay, well that's good. It's just good to see you again." She said looking down at the ground, feeling like if she looked at his face any longer she would...well she didn't know what she would do. Especially after what she almost did, kissed him on the cheek, yeah that wouldn't be good...or would it?

Before the brunette knew it he was talking to her again...about what had happened, which definitley made her look up at him, shocked by what he had said. She shook off the feeling she had when he had said that he had dated other girls to replace her, but if he was here now...he must still care for her.

Vanessa sighed, put the flowers beside her suitcase, stood her suitcase upright and walked forward, taking his hand while running her other hand through his hair. "Patrick, you don't need to apologize, it was my...idiotic idea in the first place. I should be the one apologizing. However..." She trailed off, because she knew what was going to happen. She was going to psych herself out like always, and she didn't want that to happen, but it was just a habit...maybe Patrick could stop her? "I don't think that we will work out if we try us again...because I don't have a job or a place to live." Yup, she psyched herself out again and gave a lame excuse. She let go of his hand and stepped away, she regretted everything she had said. It just seemed that she couldn't let herself be happy anymore through what had all happened.

It was definitely good to see her again too but he decided not to say anything else about that. Or they would just be going on and on about how much they missed each other and he really didn't want to stay inside this airport all day. He didn't really care for airports. He watched as she looked down at the ground. He had to admit she was sort of impulsive and at least she was trying not to completely embarrass herself again.

Patrick stood there and saw her set the flowers down, then walk towards him and take his hand and run her fingers through his hair. So that apology worked?? Gah he had missed her so much so her doing that was almost torturous. He listened as she said it was her idea in the first place and she was sorry, but then she went on to however and that sort of put down his spirits. He frowned as she gave a reason why they wouldn't work out again. "Vanessa, that doesn't make sense. I can help you find a place to live and there's a lot of worthy people in St. Mungo's I'm on good terms with that would love to start Healer training for you," he explained to her, taking her hand once more after her letting his go. He gently pulled her closer to him. "It won't be like last time. I know it won't," came his assurance.

Vanessa wanted to take the frown off of Patrick's face, she hated it when he frowned. It was an expression she hated to see on his gorgeous face of his. And to know that frown was about her, saddened her even more. Then he started to persuade her and she couldn't help but smile. He took her hand and pulled her closer and she couldn't help but laugh a little. --Which probably confused him.

Sure she agreed with his terms, that it would be easy to find a house and he wouldn't need to ask someone at St. Mungo's to start healer training for her, but she admired him and his terms were easily bought. ...Then again she would hate to argue with him. "Patrick, if I say yes..can you promise me that I'll see you more than one time a year?" She asked hoping he would say yes.

He watched as his persuasion was suddenly starting to work. He had even got her to laugh a little bit. It made him happy that his 'ol Patrick charm was still able to work on her. It was about time anyway. He chuckled as she asked if she would be able to see him more than once a year if she said yes. "I sure hope that would be the case wouldn't I?" he questioned, pulling her closer and putting his forehead against hers. "I love you more than you could ever know, and I don't want to ever be split from you again," he said in a low voice, hoping confidently she would accept that as the truth.

Then he pressed his lips to hers and kissed her in a blissful moment, and he really didn't mind if this was for everyone in the airport to see.

Vanessa was pleased. So she would be able to see him more than once a year, luckily, but she would have to move here. Oh wow, a lot was going to happen...if she did say yes, but those thoughts disappeared as he said he love her. It was like one of those moments in movies and she couldn't help but think how cheesy that was but she loved it. "I love you too, Patrick." She stated and then he kissed her. She brought her arms around his neck and kissed him back...in an airport.She couldn't help but smile against his lips and then she pulled back.

"Patrick, as sweet as this is...I kind of want to get out of this airport and go to my hotel and eat something. Because truthfully I am really hungry." She said, then hearing her stomach growl, she laughed. "But I'm really happy you came today." The brunette said, giving him a quick kiss upon the lips and picking up the flowers, and the suitcase handle.

He smiled as she kissed him back and then she pulled away. It was a happy feeling to know that things were only going to get better, rather than worse like they had. Patrick knew he had done the right thing by showing up. "Yeah I figured you would," he replied with a nod. No one wanted to hang out in an airport. They would have plenty of time to talk later. "Airport food isn't that great," he added, stating it from his own experience.

"Here let me help you." He took the suitcase handle from her hand and took her free hand in his and together they walked outside and he called a cab.

[End of Scene]

[Scene 2]: 2 years later and a lot has changed. Vanessa now lives in London all by herself, almost ready to become a professional Healer. Jason lives back in California working as an aspiring surfer and Thalia comes to see him every weekend. Hayley lives close to Vanessa, working as a travel agent, making her way in life. Bonnie is off on her own doing what she does best.

At the moment, Patrick has just gotten off work and is making his way to Vanessa's apartment on this late December evening. She thinks it's only one of their usual dinners. Little does she know a little ring box is in his pocket...

- - - - - - - - - -

It was a freezing winter night as the 22 year old made his way to the cozy apartment his girlfriend resided in. Snow drifted softly and barely anyone was on the streets at 9 o'clock at night. She was probably worried. He was usually here earlier, but school had kept him later than normal. What could he say? It was unpredictable. As he neared the apartment, he felt himself growing very anxious. He had spent weeks planning how he was going to propose to her. He just hoped she wouldn't reject him.

He made his way to the apartment complex and walked up the flight of steps to hers. 226. He came to it and stomped his feet to rid his shoes of the snow then he knocked twice, hoping she was answer quickly because of how freezing it was. He ran a hand through his hair and tried to make it look more presentable. It was all wet now.

Vanessa Campbell was at her apartment, placing a warming spell on the food she had cooked for herself and Patrick. Even though she knew he was late, she didn't mind because the timing was so unpredictable it was ridiculous, although she did worry just a little bit. Seeming as it was snowing outside and...something could have happened...like a car crash. She shook the thought off and plopped herself onto the big couch, turning the television on. She shifted through the channels and chose the movie, Titanic to watch. Bad choice.

Right as Rose was about to let go of Jack, someone was knocking at the door and Vanessa turned her heads towards it, her face covered in tears. "Oh great, what a fantastic idea, Vanessa. Why don't we just watch some Titanic, cry our eyes out before our date arrives? ....Idiot." She mumbled to herself and slapped herself in the head.

The brunette took out her wand from inside of her boot and waved it towards the stove, which set the food out on the table for herself and Patrick. She waved it again towards the paper towels and one of the paper towels landed in her hand and she used it to clean up her tears. Luckily she was wearing waterproof mascara tonight. She placed the wand back inside of her boot and walked over to the door, opening it, while wiping the rest of her tears off.

"Come on in, it's freezing out." Vanessa said, grabbing onto Patrick's hand and directing him inside of the house, that way she could quickly close the door. Ugh, she hated the cold. "How was work?" She asked, walking over to the kitchen as she got out the silverware. She might as well do it muggle way then waving her wand at this and that. She thought it would make her seem lazy. Hah.

Patrick stood outside a little longer, feeling his toes starting to go numb. Even though he was wearing sock, they weren't really preventing him from freezing his feet off. Where was she??? Now would be a really good time to open the door. He heard movement from the other side and expected her to be opening the door any moment but no, it was still shut. Finally the door swung open and he was pulled inside. "It took you long enough," he said to her, his teeth still chattering. Not that it was suppose to be in a mean way or anything.

He saw the food on the table and took his coat off, setting it on the coat rack beside the door. "Sorry I took so long. I had a teachers meeting then one of my students and I had to have a serious conversation about not carving foul language into the desk," he chuckled a bit and then looked at her. "How's your week been?" he asked, hoping it had been better than usual.

He took his wand out and lit the fireplace and the Christmas tree set up. Patrick had to admit Christmas was his favorite time of the year. He walked toward the tree and took a look at the ornaments on it. Then he noticed the TV was on and saw a muggle movie playing. Was that the Ti antic? He looked back over at her. "Let me guess, you were crying your eyes out before I got here?" he asked with a shake of his head. He would never understand...

Vanessa just rolled her eyes at Patrick. "Well sorrrryyyy, I was...busy." She said shaking her head at herself. Yeah, sure, watching Titanic was very busy. She took the silverware and set it out on the table for them. She listened as he explained to her why he was late. "Oh really? Mr. Dubois can actually be serious? Hmm, I would have liked to see that conversation with that student to see how you can actually be serious." She teased him.

Her week? "I guess it was good. I have almost a month before I can become a professional healer though, which luckily all my hard work paid off for." The brunette answered. "That reminds me, Bonnie came over and visited for a couple of days. She told me to say hello for her. Other than that, it's been pretty good." She nodded and watched as Patrick lit up the fireplace and set up the Christmas tree.

Miss Campbell walked over to Patrick and wrapped her arms around his neck, a smile planted upon her face. "You know putting up a Christmas tree, the old-fashioned way is better than using magic, but thank you." She teased him and gave him a quick kiss upon the lips.

Of course, he knew her well, which made her step back from him, crossing her arms. "That's obsurd! I was not...crying...my eyes out..psh." She said looking around, avoiding contact with his eyes. Then she gave in. "Okay maybe I was..." She trailed off and walked over to the table, taking a seat.

Hah. Watching the Titanic sure makes you busy doesn't it? Maybe crying. He had been made to watch that movie way too many times and still, he couldn't cry at all. Maybe it just had to do with being a woman. He chuckled and fiddled with one of the ornaments. "I can be very serious. Don't question that," he said to her. "After dealing with hundreds of students all these years I certainly can be." Not that he couldn't get a good laugh out of them either. He just wanted them to like the class, yet respect him and the property in his classroom at the same time.

He smiled as she announced she had less than a month before her training was done. "That's great news to hear. I mean after all the hard work..." He could still remember the times he would visit and the frustration and work she would have to do. It was definitely a step up than Hogwarts kind of work. "I'll certainly be here when they name you an 'official' healer," he air-quoted. That was going to be the day. Bonnie had visited? "Well tell her I said 'hi' back whenever you see her."

He watched to see her walk over to him and wrap her arms around his neck. "I was only giving it it's finishing touches," he explained with another chuckle. It was almost all set up any how. Pat smiled as she gave him a quick kiss. "But I agree though." He looked back at the tree as she walked to the table. "You know I never decorated a Christmas tree until maybe 3 years ago," he stated with a sigh. It had always been the house elves.

Oh he knew he was right. "See of course I knew you were." He followed her to the table and flicked his wand at the TV, turning it off. Now there was some quiet besides the crackling of the fire. It was a peaceful sort of quiet though.

Vanessa just laughed as he said he could be serious. She knew he could be, it was just funny to hear him state himself that he was. "If only I could see you be one of the professors when me, Trixie, Ella, Savannah and all of them went to Hogwarts. That would be so funny. Then again...I would be your favorite student." She laughed.

"It will be, I'm finally going to be able to relax a little bit more than staying up all-nighters sometimes. Luckily now that I took off for two weeks because of the holidays, it will take off some of the stress off of me." The brunette sighed in relief. She smiled and nodded towards Patrick as he said to tell Bonnie that he said hello as well. She would have to give her a call sometime too. That also reminded her of something...but she would just bring it up when they start eating.

Wait, three years since he had decorated a tree? "How do you live?" She asked, putting a hand on her chest, pretending to be shocked. Vanessa laughed. "Well sometime soon I'll make sure to decorate a Christmas tree with you. I promise." She stated, knowing that it would happen. "Oh and by the way, decorating the Christmas tree...muggle style."The brunette just rolled her eyes again and shook her head.

"You're silly." She said, taking her knife and fork, cutting up the chicken, placing some in her mouth. Hmm, it was still fairly hot and really good, for her cooking. She swallowed and wiped her mouth, with the napkin. "Guess what Bonnie told me." She said, taking a sip of her water and then swallowing it. "Bonnie wants to get married to this Italian boy that she had met around 3 years ago, isn't that crazy? They're only what...18 now?" She said shaking her head at the thought.

He smiled. That would sure be something wouldn't it? And of course he knew how to be a teacher. People had seen him blow up before so they must know he had some pretty strict standards. "Well of course you would have. It depends on what phase we were in though. Remember how I dated Ella before you?" he questioned, thinking about how everybody hated everybody and jealousy was going around like a wild fire.

"Yeah that will be nice. Holiday is almost here for me too. Just a few more days and we'll be off for about 2 weeks as well." And boy did he really need that time off. Not that he minded teaching. He really missed it when he was away too long. Just there were always those kids who made you want to pull your hair out. "And nothing will be better then spending the holidays with you," he added with a smile.

Plus where they stood in their relationship would soon change.

Hmmm....it seemed she had misinterpreted what he meant there. "Oh I meant I had never decorated a tree until then. When I was younger the house elves would always set it up. Then when I was at Thalia's we decorated a tree together," came his clearer explanation. Not that he wouldn't want to decorate a Christmas tree with her. They might be doing that around this time next year wouldn't they?

As he was seated at the table, he took a bite of the green beans that were on his plate now. Mmm....they were good. He was impressed. "This is really good," he told her, taking another bite. He listened as she explained that Bonnie wanted to get married. Already?! At 18? "Oh wow, that is something. Do you think you would approve of it if he proposed?" he asked her. Speaking of proposing....he was getting closer to the perfect moment..

Vanessa slowly nodded as he brought up Ella. She had completely forgotten but there always had seemed that she was always brought up in some way or another when she was around Patrick. "I guess it would differ...anyways forget I said anything." She said trying to get off the subject. Sure she was a little jealous of Ella because she had dated him before, that was natural and luckily she was dating Aiden now, so it was all good. She hoped.

It was good that he was going to be on break as well, she bet a break away from the students could do him some good for a while. "And then you don't have to give anyone anymore serious conversations." She laughed and smiled as he said he would be with her on the holidays.

"Oh okay, that makes more sense." She nodded. Hmm, oh yes, Thalia. "How is Thalia? I haven't heard from her or Jason lately." She said wondering what they could be up to. Then again...maybe she didn't want to know. Haha.

And then he complimented her on the food and she raised an eyebrow. "I thought so too, well for my cooking. I never cook right, it's strange. Maybe Hayley had helped me because she has been giving me tips on cooking." She said remembering the tips Hayley had given her the last time she had visited.

So would she approve of Bonnie and Sebastian if they got married? "To be honest, at 18...I would approve, but I'd rather have them wait. They're too young, I mean why don't they wait a little longer to get to know each other some more?" She shrugged. "What do you think?"

He could tell he had touched a bad subject by bringing up the 'Ella' incident. That was completely out of the fact Vanessa was dating Aiden and it ticked him off so much that he just had to get her back. Patrick nodded and decided not to talk about it anymore. At least Aiden and Ella were very much in love and who knows...his mate could be popping the very question he was going to pop tonight. Wow that made him jittery just thinking about it again.

He let out a chuckle. "You never know, I may have another serious conversation with someone sometime soon." Whether that being her or his family. "But let's hope not." He didn't really like when he had to go to that level. He wasn't a very serious guy so why try to be one when there was no need. Except of course when people didn't him off and he threw a punch.

Phew he was glad she had understood this time. Thalia? Hmm....what had he heard from his cousin last? "From what I hear she's certainly a lot happier and her and Jason seem to be madly in love," he teased, quoting what she had written him. He didn't know what to perceive from the sound of that. "She works in Diagon Alley as an assistant shopkeeper for the Apothecary store." Somehow she had become a brilliant potioneer. Carrying on the Whitehall tradition he supposed.

He nodded with a smile. Yeah her cooking hadn't been too great to begin with. Hayley was certainly doing wonders by that cause. He listened as she explained that she did think they were too young but she would approve. "It's a proven fact marriages don't last as long at that age. I'd say give it a couple years. As a parent I would never let my kid do that."

Vanessa tilted her head as he said he would have another serious conversation with someone sometime soon. What could that possibly mean? "Hmm, well your sweetness over rules your seriousness, Mr. Dubois." She smiled. Oh okay, so Thalia and Jason were doing good...being madly in love. The brunette laughed and shook her head. "Reminds me of us, back in those days." She teased, making it sound like they were old...and married.

"Oh really? I must visit her sometime then." She said nodding. She hadn't seen Thalia in...a long time. Wasn't the last time like a year ago or maybe 2 years? She wasn't sure, but she was surely greatful of that girl. She made her realize that Patrick did like her. This thought resulted in Vanessa having a big smile upon her face and then she noticed herself smiling like a weirdo, and stopped.

As she listened to Patrick's opinion she completely agreed. "Then again she is my little sister and I am protective of her...but I should let her make her own mistakes...or great decisions." She said, taking another sip of her water. All this talking was making her thirsty. Then a thought came into her mind. What if Patrick and her got married at this age? Would she approve?

He chuckled as she said his sweetness over ruled his seriousness. "I'm glad to know school hasn't rubbed off on me too much," he laughed, taking a bite of the chicken now. That was tasty too. If only Vanessa cooked like this all the time. She knew she wasn't a great cook so he didn't have to mention it at all. Hmm...it did remind him of them. "I agree. Although aren't we still madly in love?" he added with a smirk. He sure was.

"I'm sure she'd love to see you. She's been trying to make some new sort of cures for diseases in St. Mungo's in her free time. Maybe you could help her out." Except he wasn't fully sure if Thalia would really appreciate the help. She sort of did stuff on her own and too her own standards, not others. He noticed Vanessa off in thought, smiling and just sort of chuckled again and shook his head. Never question her randomness.

He agreed kids should be able to make their own mistakes but to a certain point. "She should be wary though that getting married at that age and breaking up could leave her scarred." Hah he had plenty of those didn't he? But of course he was meaning emotionally rather than physically. That made him glance down at his own hands. Scars. Things that never went away. That wasn't a very light note to think on so he blinked and let it go.

Vanessa laughed. "No, but school has certainly got you to be more mature." She said taking a bite of the mashed potatoes. It was true though. Not that she didn't like his 'immatureness' but it helped a little that she didn't have to worry about him punching someone. "Still madly in love? Are you kidding me? I'm practically forced into being in this relationship!" She teased him and leaned over the table, kissing him on the cheek. "I'm only kidding. Of course I'm madly in love with you or else I wouldn't be spending this time of my life with you." She smiled.

"Hmm, maybe. Then again I'm not sure if I would like to, seeming as the last time I asked her about something or done something with her she seemed to get irritated." The brunette laughed at the memory of at Milo's christmas party where she would be freaking out because Patrick was giving her mixed signals and Thalia was getting all mad. Oh goodness, good times.

"You know, maybe you should be giving Bonnie this little speech of yours." She stated, taking another spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth an swallowing. I mean, if he is a professor he should be able to persuade Bonnie at least or maybe Sebastian. The former Gryffindor noticed that he was looking down at the scars on his hands and it reminded her of that day where he had told her...and she had broke up with him. Well that was the dumbest decision she had ever made. She took his hand and squeezed it, reminding him that she would be there for him.