Greg stopped just outside the front door and ran a hand through his hair. He should be anywhere but here in this state. He didn't want to bring his problems into Maeve's home, her sanctuary. At least that was how he saw it. Whittom Park represented a sanctuary to him too. Tracey had always welcomed him there, without reservation or restrictions. She didn't have conditions to their friendship, they just were. He tapped the familiar plate on the wall and the doors opened immediately for him.

As he walked through the foyer there was no sign of Tracey. They hadn't agreed on a time, but he'd thought that she was going to be there. "Baxter," he intoned. The house-elf appeared and looked miserably at him.

"Master Greg... we's were not expecting you for hours and hours yet. Mistress is by the tall waters in the garden." Greg nodded and walked out the glass doors leading to the vast green behind the house.

Just as the house-elf had directed him, he found her in the back garden skimming her hands across the water of one of the fountains, the 'tall waters'. She was being sullen. It wasn't like her to brood so much over one date. Albeit, it was her first 'real' date. But she had to remind herself that it wasn't even a date and that she was being as melodramatic as Draco usually was. It had been just dinner with a friend... that got cut off shortly and unexpectedly. And besides the point, shouldn't seeing and flirting with Cormac McLaggen the next day tell her that she was obviously doing something right? Wrong. She knew it had been much more than just dinner with an old school friend. She knew she didn't date, and she had a fairly good idea of why she didn't date. Even ten years later, Tracey knew exactly why Theodore Nott had meant so much to her. Perhaps the only other person who knew how she'd felt about him back then was Greg... and she was fairly sure that she'd be lucky if he had forgotten the silly words of an even sillier little girl. Not even Blaise knew why it had felt so wrong when they'd gone out for the full five minutes in fifth year... a girl just didn't go round saying she fancied someone else.

Greg didn't like the nervous, wary look on his Maeve's face as he entered the back garden. She always had retreated here when something was bothering her and tonight seemed to be no different. "Maeve? What is wrong?" He moved to her side, crouching down next to her and opening his arms wide. It didn't matter that his life was fucked beyond belief, not right now. Maeve needed him and he would do his best to push aside his issues for her. "Come here and tell me what is bothering you?"

Tracey smiled at him, but is didn't reach her eyes. She refused to make today about her. Instead of retreating into her oldest friend's arms, she merely patted him on his knee and stood up. "I'm really fine, Greg. The garden just looked so lovely tonight. Have you been here long? Are you ready to talk about what happened with Blaise then?" Her look turned stern and she hoped he'd accept the change of subject. "I haven't owled him... I assume I'll get less cheek from you."

Greg scowled. "I don't want to talk about that wanker. He's still quite full of himself. He acted like some bloody martyr for staying here. He doesn't bloody well know what I went through or why I had to leave!" He stopped, took a deep breath, and sighed. "Maeve, I'm sorry. It's not your fault and I shouldn't start our evening off like this. Now, about Nott..."

Tracey actually rolled her eyes. "Does every evening together have to be about fixing Tracey? Can't we once go back to where this was an equal relationship? I know that you're feeling guilt for leaving me, but just once I'd like to have the kind of friendship we used to have. Where I was allowed to help you once and a while. All I get is warned off blokes who show interest in me, and offers to hex the only one I ever wanted to take interest." Her voice was rising. It probably didn't help that her heart was hurting and she was feeling more alone than she ever had, despite having a perfectly warm pair of arms willing to hold her and tell her that it didn't matter than Theo thought next to nothing of her. "I've had enough of everyone thinking I'm fragile. I'm not about to break like some shard of glass. And, you know what? Blaise acts like a martyr and he regularly behaves like a wanker... but I wouldn't have survived without him, Greg. As much as I love Pansy, she's really not very good for hugs when your mother decides that there is 'nothing' left tying her to Britain and she'd rather not come back to this 'rain-soaked shite-hole'. When you're basically told that you're worthless and were just a means to an end. A great way to make her life comfortable... marrying someone with money and producing an heir. Sad to be inconvenienced with a couple of brats... here, let the nannies take them. Have a child die? No need to shed a tear... no, you can just have another - must secure that position as lady of the manor, don't you know! Merlin, Blaise couldn't even understand that, not like you could... but he was at least here!" Tracey tried to control her tone, the last thing in the world she wanted to do was dump on him. "You know, Greg, I've never held it against you for leaving. I knew why you had to go. No one should have to face what you did... but you chose to do that without me. And now you're home and carrying on very well without me once again! So don't make this all about silly little Tracey."

Greg gaped, opening and closing his mouth in an attempt to form some sort of coherent response. He had never meant for Maeve to think that he didn't need her. Hell, he needed her now more than ever. It was just that he'd been raised that the men protected the women even if that meant keeping secrets the women they cared about... just as he was from his Maeve. She was fragile, even if she didn't admit it. It was from her that he'd kept his potions addiction, the full truth of the night his parents died, and all of his suicidal thoughts. But, he needed to reassure her in some way. "Maeve...I do need you. I need you more now then ever. I just had to face those things alone." He stepped forward, reaching out to lay a hand on her cheek.

She couldn't stay mad at him, but that didn't mean that it didn't still hurt. They used to be practically joined at the hip, in a fully non-romantic way, of course. If he wasn't glued to Draco or Vinnie then he was with her. Sharing with her thoughts that no one else seemed to want to hear. She'd listened through all sorts of teenage drama, and it hurt that he didn't need her any more, despite his protests to the latter.

Greg sighed, caressing her cheek. "I don't want to argue with you, Maeve. Why don't we go in?"

Tracey wanted to argue. It was probably a side-effect from the last few days. The things she wanted said needed to be out, but as they walked slowly into the lounge, she couldn't find the words that would express why she was so frustrated. She felt like she had been thrust aside for something or someone else that she didn't quite understand.

Greg could see the argument wasn't over from the look on her face, so it was a relief seeing River standing in the doorway. "We'll talk about it later," Greg hissed, nodding towards the girl. She was going to be spending a lot of time with the two of them, but she didn't need to be part of every argument.

Tracey was clearly irritated but didn't want their first joint meeting with their joint personal assistant (and friend) to be the place to show it. She pasted on her patented smile and turned to River in the doorway, "River! I'm glad you're finally here. I'm excited for us all to be here together."

River merely smiled and waved in return. "Hello, sorry if I interrupted anything. I hope you're both doing well?" She sincerely doubted it, judging from what she'd walked in on, but it didn't stop her from being polite.

Greg forced a smile. "Fine, and you?"

Tracey was a master at hiding how she really felt, and what she really felt was upset, alone and hurt. Greg always treated her like a child. Something fragile, not worth talking to about the hard stuff. Or at least recently that was how it felt. She'd been good enough to stay up late nights at Hogwarts talking about his feelings and his confusion, but the times had clearly changed. He most likely had someone new to talk about those things with. In order to keep from losing her temper, something she rarely did, Tracey turned to River and pushed all the angry feelings she was holding down inside further. "You haven't interrupted anything, dear River. I'm very glad you could make it tonight. I'm sorry about cancelling on you for Friday."

"Just keep your end of the deal later tonight and all is forgiven," the younger girl waved it off, looking between the two curiously. "So, shall we be eating or working first?"

Tracey laughed, "I wish there was something better to tell, the date was tragic. It ended abruptly, I was melodramatic and almost cried in front of Muggles, and then yeah... it wasn't great. I'm sorry I don't have something better to regale you with, but it's not likely to happen again, sorry, dear." Tracey's eyebrows furrowed for a moment before smoothing her face into a smile, "Why don't we eat first, and then work. Then we can focus later without the threat of our stomachs rebelling on us. Greg?"

Greg just shrugged. He had to hold it together and get through dinner. He didn't need to row with Maeve and he certainly didn't need small talk. But he would do this. Later, alone in his flat, he could fall apart...or get pissed. "I could eat and work can most definitely wait."

Tracey kept herself from rolling her eyes at his sullen behaviour. "I've a telephone in the front entry. Blaise had me purchase one for just this purpose." With a flick of her wand, a small black rectangle flew toward her followed by several sheets of paper, obviously menus. "Curry or Pizza?"

Greg snickered, he just couldn't help it. "Poppet, I wouldn't mind a pizza, but I'm curious to know when you tried it. Sound okay, River?"

"Pizza sounds fine, no matter the toppings," River smiled, looking at the phone curiously. "Do you order out often?"

Tracey laughed. "No, not really. Blaise works in Muggle London and was trying to convince me that they're not all mad... so he insisted I get a mobile, that is what this is called apparently," she said as she held out the telephone, "in order to ring round food. I told him the elves could make me anything I want, but then he introduced me to pizza. Now I'm an addict. We even figured out a way to let the Muggles deliver here without dropping the wards. All right, Pizza it is."

She deftly ordered their food and turned back to their shocked faces with a grin after hanging up. "You see? Tracey Davis isn't as narrow minded as people think... well, I am, but I can appreciate really good food. Work talk or fun talk before dinner? My vote is fun!"

Greg chuckled, his mood lifting slightly despite more mention of Blaise. "Fun? What sort of fun?"

Tracey made a face, "I don't know... something that doesn't mention Halloween or the settling of your estate."

A rather wicked grin spread across River's face. "Oh, speaking of Halloween, Trace..." She paused to let that sink in for a moment before continuing. "Have you found a costume, yet? Or at least know what you'll be looking for?"

Tracey groaned and threw herself back on the sofa. "River!" But she came up grinning at the girl. "I've thought about it and seen a few costumes I like... I was rather hoping to have some help from my personal assistant when it came to that... as well as with a whole hell of a lot of other Halloweeny things. I have, however, found a costume for you, Greg."

Greg dropped into an armchair, the dread forming a ball in his stomach. "What costume?"

"Oh don't look like I killed your crup, Val. When I was in London on Friday I came across a big picture of some Muggle sports figure and I think you'd look brilliant in his uniform. I think they call it footy? No... that's the wrong sport. This is tight stretchy stuff? Blue. You'll look smashing and witches will be lining up. Trust me. We'll find you the costume, won't we River? When we go out for ours?"

Greg blinked in shock. "An American football uniform? In blue?"

River burst into giggles at the image that popped into mind, falling onto the sofa next to Tracey. "Oh, Tracey's right, you'll have the ladies after you left and right, Greg. I only hope you can handle them...who knows what lengths they will go to get your attentions with you done up in tight, stretchy material."

Greg was horrified. "No, no, and no. I will not wear that costume. Come up with something else."

Tracey stood up and sat in his lap, pulling her arms around him and giving him that look... that look that none of the boys she knew could deny no matter what they said to the contrary. "Please, Val? We'd make sure you didn't look silly, I promise."

He closed his eyes and shook his head. She always did this to him. Hadn't he said he was going to learn to tell her no? "No," he said softly. "I can't, Maeve. For all I know I'll be the only one to show up in a costume. Let me pick one?"

She sighed. "Fine. I'm wearing one and so is River... so just as long as you wear one, I'll be happy, I suppose."

Fortunately for him, the doorbell rang. It was odd to see Tracey jump up and head to the door, but she had already instructed the elves to stay out of view and had Muggle money ready. Having no clue what she was paying the driver, she managed to give him an enormous tip, and he thanked her with a little more enthusiasm that she thought necessary. Strange things, these Muggles, she pondered as she brought the boxes toward her friends. Instead of walking toward the dining room, as her mother would have insisted, she placed the pizza on the cocktail table and summoned an elf for drinks. "I'll have a glass of wine. Greg? River?"

Greg sighed, relenting. "I'll wear a costume, if you consider my idea as well. And I'll have a lager if you have it."

Tracey grimaced at him, "Of course we do, Val. And what is your idea... and we'll decide if it's suitable," she added with a grin at River.

River nodded. "It will be hard to beat the blue football uniform, though..." She glanced at the elf. "And I'll have the same as Greg, please."

Greg sighed. "My long leather coat, black jeans, and black boots. I'll even wear a bandanna or something..."

Tracey almost managed not to roll her eyes. "You can't wear that. You would wear that any other day of the year. It's All Hallow's Eve... and you're a wizard for Salazar's sake. That's it... we're picking your costume for you, and if you won't wear tight blue spandex that will show off your many er... assets, then you can be a ballerina or something. Pink and frilly? Sound pleasant? Pans would like it, I'm sure."

"And we'd do up your hair to match," River added, just for extra emphasis. "A big bow would look absolutely lovely, wouldn't you agree, Tracey?"

She nodded and couldn't stop the smirk from appearing on her face when Greg's features turned ashen and he glared at them both. "You know, I never thought I would say this to you, Tracey, but...do fuck off. I will not wear a ballerina thing." He pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. "Fine, I'll wear the football uniform...but I get to pick River's and approve of yours, poppet."

Tracey grinned. I'll let you have a sneak peek of mine when I find it, but as for dictating to me whether I'm allowed to wear it or not? What am I, twelve? I'll wear what I like, whether it's risque or not... but how's this, I'll owl you a photo of me in it before the night, just so you're head doesn't explode when you pick us up," she replied cheekily. "Besides... what if some dashing Gryffindor tries to sweep me off my feet? I can't very well be wearing a potato sack or something. And I'm planning the damn thing... I need to look at least enchanting."

Greg growled, knowing full well what Gryff she was backhandedly referring to.

"At least he's only approving of yours..." River sighed, looking at Greg suspiciously. "Anything pink and I will charm your jersey to match. Those are my terms."

He looked horror stricken. "Fuck no! Nothing pink, I swear. I'll send it along this week if I don't find it by our meeting on Tuesday." He turned to Tracey. "Yours best be decent or its a nun's habit for you, sister mine."

"River and I will go costume hunting later in the week... all right? Can we just eat now?"

The younger girl giggled. "We'll make sure it covers everything necessary. But yes, let's eat. I'm starving." She leaned forward to open the box on the cocktail table, sighing happily at the smell that came out. "Oh, it's been so long since I've had pizza...I've forgotten how good it smells."

Greg grinned, fond memories of good times were returned with the smell of the pizza. "Ham and pineapple, Maeve? Nice." He held out the plates one by one for River to fill. "Now tell me more about this Halloween deal, please."

Between bites, Tracey explained what Fiona Dearborn had told her about the plans. "I'm not actually going to attend the children's part of the activities... but the adult version later on will be quite a bit of mad fun, I think. I'm going to see about a costume contest, and other activities. There will be alcohol, of course," she nodded with a smile toward Greg, "and I'm thrilled to bring more emphasis on Hogsmeade as a wonderful place to visit rather than just being the town next to Hogwarts, you know? I'll be going up to Scotland tomorrow actually, to meet with the new proprietor of the Three Broomsticks. Haven't been there since school."

"The MacDougals, Mac and Brody," Greg supplied. "She was a Ravenclaw, went to school with us. I chatted her up a bit the other night and she's nice enough." He paused, considering the marked differences between Maeve and Mac. "Don't think that she's not sharp, Maeve. She's nearly as smart as you, I'd guess."

"And there, dear Val, is where you show that you are completely biased, and yet I adore you for it. I'm not nearly as clever as a Ravenclaw, but I'll take the compliment easy enough. River, shall we go shopping on Thursday then, to find our costumes? And then I may have to take you with me on several stops in Hogsmeade over the next two weeks, you up for it?"

She blinked at the random change in topic but nodded after a quick mental scan of her schedule. "Of course. Just tell me where and when you need me and I'll be there. Where shall I meet you on Thursday?"

"I may need to convince Pansy to join us, so I'd say her house... but let's just go with her at the Park for now. I'll owl you if she consents." Tracey turned to Greg, "did you two have business tonight too?"

"No," he said after thinking about it for a second. "Tuesday we have a meeting, but we both know about that. Anything you can think of, River?"

River thought for a few moments, then shrugged her shoulders as she shook her head. "Nothing comes to mind. Tuesday's meeting is the biggest thing to bother with for a little while, so there's nothing more left to do. I hope you don't mind the free time."

Greg chuckled, thinking of the ways he could spend said free time. "No," he said with a wicked grin. "I don't mind it at all."

Tracey grinned at her two friends. Things were starting to come into place. She was gathering the people she cared about close to her... things would be as they ought to be again. The three of them ate and laughed and Tracey was finally content, and that surprised her after the mess of her weekend.



(Summary: Tracey and Greg argue... sorta, and then Halloween plans are discussed with their mutual PA - River!)