(brandon) holiday cheer

[Deleted]

"Don't drink so much little brother." Avery teased the Muggle Studies teacher lightly. He adored his family more than anything, but that didn't mean he was against messing with his younger brother - actually it was quite the contrary.  He had a secret love of teasing Brandon. Though he was always the first to jump to the other's defense if someone else dared tease him. After all, he was allowed to, it was his job as the oldest. Besides, the day had been peaceful and happy, at least for the most part. Avery wanted to continue that joy rather than let conversation die away.

They were the only two left awake, that he was aware of. He really enjoyed time with all of his family. But he'd always been closest to Brandon. It was easy to talk to him, which was good especially right now. He knew if he was alone he wouldn't be able to just bask in the joy of the holiday. After all, this was the first holiday after the divorce and custody were finalised. His first Christmas without his daughter since she was born. A fact that thankfully no one had brought up, though the knowledge had sat in the back of his mind all weekend. 

The Ministry worker quickly shook his head, realising he'd been drifting into his thoughts. He took another drink of his beverage, his eyes drifting over the decorations placed carefully around the living room and on the tree before settling once more  on Brandon. "You're already drunk aren't you?" he grinned.

[brandon harper]

"Oh come on. It's Christmas, Ave." Brandon grinned doggedly to his brother, taking another swig of the oak matured meed he'd picked up from the Three Broomsticks before he left the school for the Christmas break. Brandon had been enjoying being home, with his brother and his sister, and sitting up late, alone with Avery was a source of happy memories in the past, he was looking forward to making another memory tonight, whether it was a deep conversation or just sitting around joking and supporting one another through their recent love-life turbulence.

There was a slightly bitter thought playing in Brandon's head. He had almost ended up in the same situation as his brother. Married to someone and having that relationship fail drastically when their love lives broke down. he had been engaged before he took this Hogwarts job, and hell, were things better now? Sure his love life was more interesting now but interesting wasn't always a good thing. Was he doing the right thing by making a move on his handsome young student? This unhappy thought bought a small frown to his face, for a moment and he let out a sigh.

His brother asked if he was already drunk and Brandon, dismissively raised his glass, letting his light smile return to his lips as he attempted to take the conversation in a better direction. "It's been a rough couple of years but we've still go each other. To family." He said before taking another sip of his drink. "Are you doing okay, Ave?" He wanted to distance the conversation from his own over-drinking, not to mention the upset he'd just displayed on his face.