[Carter Nichols]

It was not for any need of counseling that Carter approached and knocked on Garrin's door. He felt quite well both mentally and emotionally.

Finally being back to Hogwarts after his long stay in Bulgaria, it was only that Carter felt the need to apologize to the man that he stood waiting for an answer from.

He was taller, and bulkier, and his voice was in the process of changing into something much deeper. Such was the life of any fourteen year old boy.

[Garrin Hamren]

"Carter...." Garrin said the boy's name with a note of surprise in his voice, but it was more of a statement than anything---he wasn't at all disappointed to see Carter, but he couldn't help wonder if he had ran away from Bulgaria.

"Er...you're back? Please...come in."

[Carter Nichols]

"Yeah. After Celia died, some of her flunkies in Bulgaria went a bit wild. Attacked my foster family and a few other people. After they sewed me back up, Dad had a row with some Ministry officials and it would seem that I get to stay for while." Carter explained.

[Garrin Hamren]

"Wow, that's...wow...." Garrin sent a warmed look to the boy--not quite a smile, but certainly nothing harsh. He was genuinely glad he was back.

"For awhile? Where will you be staying?" he asked, as he gestured towards a chair.

[Carter Nichols]

"With Dad." Carter nodded. "He says he's going to finish this war quickly and try and win Novaleigh back. He's excited about the baby and really wants to put everything right. He said you all had some trouble. Where are you living these days? I figured with Luna's parents."

[Garrin Hamren]

"Harry put us up for awhile, but with a bit of magical help, the house will be back to normal soon enough. Until then we're staying here at Hogwarts, and occasionally with friends and family," Garrin responded, smiling grimly.

"We'll get it all sorted soon enough," he said, though it sounded like he was trying to convince himself more so than Carter.

[Carter Nichols]

"Novaleigh is staying near a new boyfriend. That's what Dad said anyway. I don't really know a whole lot about the guy other than he used to date Caryn Weasley. He's super crushed over her. Wants her back real bad. She's having a little boy." Carter nodded as he left the topic at hand, sensing that Garrin had nothing more to say on the matter.

[Garrin Hamren]

"I was under the impression that Landon was finished with Novaleigh, to be honest," Garrin said with a shrug, but then he coughed.

"That's really none of my business though...not my place to say such things. But...er...Novaleigh's dating someone else? I...that...surprises me, I suppose."

[Carter Nichols]

"He said he had to make her leave. He said he couldn't risk her following him out to battle anymore and that if he wanted her and the baby to have happy and healthy lives, he had to make her leave him. He acted mean but you can bet that he was just as hooked on her as she was on him. I was surprised that she found someone new too. Something there just doesn't click."

He shrugged. "But that's really not why I came. I wanted to apologize to you, Professor Hamren."

[Garrin Hamren]

Garrin blinked, and gave a small, awkward sort of smile that slowly melted into something more sincere.

"Apologize? For...what, exactly?" he asked kindly.

[Carter Nichols]

"For everything. Especially when I talked down to you about getting Luna pregnant when you caught me kissing in the corridor. Even after all that..you still helped me whenever I asked for it, and even when I didn't ask. You never thought twice. It wasn't just because of your job either...you helped me when I was away from school."

He scratched at the back of his neck nervously. "I personally attacked you and you never even gave it a second thought. I am so ashamed...so sorry for the way I behaved towards you. If you ever need anything...you don't even have to ask."

[Garrin Hamren]

Garrin, feeling a bit taken back, sighed quietly, and gave a flicker of a smile.

"Well...Carter...I'm quite sure it's all in the past. I do appreciate the gesture, however. Very admirable of you to take ownership and apologize. I assure you, all is forgiven."

His smile increased slightly. "You're good for Landon, you know. You keep him sane...mostly...."

[Carter Nichols]

Carter laughed at that and shoved his uncertain and frustrated hands deep into his pockets. "I think a better way to explain it is that I keep him ... Landon. I was surprised how quickly we fell back into our routine. I was barely there for five minutes when he turned the couch on it's side and declared war with a sloppy joe gun.."Carter laughed as he recalled the bizarre incident.

[Garrin Hamren]

"I can only imagine what that might be," Garrin commented, making a face but chuckling nonetheless.

"So then, he's definetely set on Noveleigh, then? Good...I'm glad for that. And really, Carter, I'm glad to see you back as well."

[Carter Nichols]

"I'm just glad to be back in one piece." Carter sighed as he recalled the battle that broke out in Bulgaria.

"I dunno if Landon told you about that or not, but I got myself into a pretty nasty situation."