Park near the Vaight Cottage ((Fixed Future))

Darien was glowing with pride. "Brilliant Darius! You'll be at Hogwarts before you know it!"

Zephir blinked. When he'd first used magic, his parents had not even noticed. Again, he felt a slight jealousy, although this time it was smothered by gratitute. He even began to hope that Darius really was his brother.

Darius enjoyed his mother's hug and was delighted at his father's compliment. He loved his mummy and his daddy. And now his big brother too.

Diana kissed Darius' head and muttered something about 'baby' and 'growing up fast'.

Darien continued beaming, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Zeph, for lack of anything to do, halted the still-swinging seat.

"Are you alright then Zephir?" Diana said after smothering Darius with hugs and kisses.

Darius beamed back at his dad.

Zephir nodded. "I'm fine."

Darien glanced at Zephir, who seemed to be close to smiling at Darius. Upon noticing he was being watched, Zeph supressed his slight hint of smile.

Even though he had no idea why he did so.

"I think some ice cream is in order," Diana said suddenly. "What do you think Darien?"

At the mention of ice cream, Darius' face lit up. "Ice cream!"

"Let's get ice cream Dad!" He went next to Zephir. "Let's get ice cream!"

Darien grinned. "I think that's a very good idea." He began to walk towards an ice cream van nearby. "Come on!"

Zephir nodded, and followed Darius.

"Come on Zephy," Darius said running after his father. "Ice cream."

Diana followed them happy to see Darius so happy.

Zephir began to speed up, and before he realised it, he was running flat out after Darius. And he was grinning.

Darien glanced back at Diana, and shot her a smile. Their little boy was growing up...

Darius was running, but his legs were too short and thus, Zephir was able to catch up to him. He was also giggling sillily and was probably not helping his speed. "Wait for me Zephy!"

Diana grinned, and ran after Darius and Zephir, leaving Darien. "Slowpoke."

Zephir chuckled for a moment. "Pick up the pace Darius!" He slowed slightly, and swerved across the younger boy's path.

Darien laughed, also breaking into a run. "What can I say? I'm getting old."

Darius had stopped laughing but he still had a goofy grin on his face. He tried running faster but he really was no match for a 6-year-old.

"Are you sure you aren't just slow normally?" Diana teased turning around slightly to face Darien.

Zephir slowed down a bit more, grinning unreservedly over his shoulder. "The ice cream will have melted by the time we get there!"

Darien pouted, although grinning inwardly. "Slowpokes are people too!"

Now Darius was worried. What if the ice cream did melt before they got there? "Noooo!" He tried running faster.

Diana laughed at that. "I thought wolves were fast?"

Zeph chuckled quietly, the sound absorbed by the wind brushing past him.

Darien grinned. "My human-ness slows me down." He sped up slightly. "And human-ness is in fact a technical term." He joked.

Diana chuckled. "I'm sure," and the next moment, she apparated right next to the ice cream van.

"Mummy! You cheated!" Darius said stopping to catch a breath.

Darien laughed. "Honestly...What kind of example is that for the children?" He then stopped speaking. Zeph wasn't his son...was he?!

Zeph blinked. The children. It almost sounded like he...was...a part of their family. For some reason, this made him feel elated...yet also slightly guilty again. He glanced at Diana, a faint hope glimmered in his eye.

He had parents...but he didn't have a family. Not really.

"I was gonna win anyway," Diana said waving a hand around. "Your father is as slow as a flobberworm." She winked at both the children. Though it did hurt her, she wouldn't be able to do anything about it if Zephir turned out to be Darien's son. Besides, it wasn't the kid's fault... suddenly she remembered that she wasn't all to happy with Darien...

Darius finally made it to her mother's side. He wanted to order but he was too short for the little window. "Mummy.... I can't reach it!"

Diana smiled at Darius and raised him up. "What would you like Zephir?"

Zeph smirked slightly.

Darien pouted. "I'm not a flobberworm!" He protested quietly.

Zeph blinked at Diana's question. "Um...I...I don't mind. Whatever." He paused. "Uh-Thanks." He addded as an afterthought.

"Two chocolate popsicles please!" Darius managed to say in his excitement.

"No, your right, just a worm." Diana said with a straight face.

Darius giggled and grabbed the popsicle sticks the vendor gave to him. When Diana put him down, he plopped one in his mouth and the other he offered to Zephir.

Darien almost winced, but maintained a mask of amusement. Diana was still mad at him...though that was entirely his own fault, he thought.

Zephir accepted the popsicle carefully, licking it cautiously. Interesting...and refreshingly tasty.

Darius smiled a chocolate filled smile at Zephir while Diana paid the vendor.

"Let's go home now?" Diana asked.

Darius nodded still enjoying the ice cream.

Darien followed the group, smile now faded from sight.

Zeph was too busy devouring the chocolate ice cream to contemplate, or say, anything, and so followed Diana and Darius.