The Moments That Make Or Break Us [2004]

[Alexander Knight]

With a sigh Alexander put down the Daily Prophet, smoothing it down on his desk as he perused the front page disinterestedly. There was something about how after a long time the London Bridge had finally been rebuilt, and the Ministry was taking credit for the project, even though it was a muggle structure. Alexander frowned slightly, and tossed the paper away into the rubbish bin, before turning back to work.

He was the head of Magical Law Enforcement now, his predecessor had been killed in the Second Wizarding War, and Alexander wore the responsibility well, even if he didn't particularly enjoy the paperwork the job brought with it. He was just writing a letter to the Minister informing him about the number of auror recruits that summer, when he heard a knock at the door.

Sighing in annoyance at the break in his concentration, Alexander looked up from his work. "Come in, if you must." He said sharply, leaning back in his study chair and looking pointedly at the door.

[Judas Strong]

Judas was every rainbow color of nervous, there was not a time in his life that things really got this bad for him, he didn't have a ring yet he didn't have anything yet he only had a thought, and love and a heart for it all. He had the house, he had enough of the wealth, he could take care of the girl! He loved her so very much. Sweaty hands knocked upon the door of the Knight house, balled into fists in their nervousness.

He took a deep breath, her father was a scary man at least by Jude's standards, he was frightening by all means and Jude had ever gotten over the idea of having to one day propose the idea to a scary father. Oh joy. He stepped into the house, slowly gently, and he gave a very weary smile to Alexander Knight. "Hello sir," He greeted in a most respectful manner, always hoping to be a favorite in the eyes of parents.

"I am not intruding on anything important, am I?" He asked nervously, not wanting to barge in on important manners when he had no business being here.

[Alexander Knight]

When the door opened to reveal Judas, Caroline's boyfriend, Alexander did not betray his surprise, although he had no idea why the boy would want to come and talk to him. He did not make it a habit to intrude on his daughter's affairs, and he viewed Judas as more or less a non-threat. Alexander knew that Judas and Caroline were just a fad, like pinstriped cloaks or the Quibbler. He was just waiting for the moment when Caroline realised that she was better than the Strong boy and kicked him to the curb.

"What does it look like Mr Strong?" Alexander asked in his clipped and serious tone, indicating the paper's he was working on, before turning back to Judas. "How can I help you? And please make it quick, I am a busy man."

[Judas Strong]

Being called Mr. Strong in such a matter-of-fact and cold cut way, Jude stared at the man in fear not wanting to be kicked out or anything of that sort. He fiddling with his thumbs, he could feel the sweat beginning to collect itself on his forehead from how stressed out he was, he thought he was doing the right thing. Asking the father, not going to elope with the girl, but a proper wedding.. A proper thing to do. He just wanted to be approved and accepted by her father, a man most important in every girl's life Jude believed. His father was certainly important so it only made sense... Father's were just, important.

"Uhm.. W-Well.. I..." He was like a deer in the headlights, fiddling with his thumbs looking panicked. And not particularly capable of finishing his sentences in this current moment in time. "I-I..I... O-Okay... I....I..." He bit his lower lip.

[Alexander Knight]

Alexander raised an eyebrow as the boy hesitated, sighing deeply. It was a shame that this boy wasn't more like his father, but Alexander knew that it wasn't always like father like son. He leaned back in his chair, watching the boy struggle without any emotion.

After a moment he sighed again. "Please Mr Strong, I do have all day to listen to you stammer after all. Continue." The boy really was rather sad. He wondered when Caroline was going to drop him and take up with someone more worth her time, someone he approved of. Watching Judas he couldn't help but hope that day would come soon.

[Judas Strong]

Jude stopped his stammering when the other had told him to continue, this was nerve-wracking! Was this man serious? Of all the most preposterous things to suggest, regardless Jude took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. He needed to get this out, so that he wouldn't look like a complete idiot in front of this man.

"Alright, Mr. Knight..." His nails pressed into the palms of his hands, nervously. Staring at the man widely, barely blinking. "I'm here to ask you, if I could have your daughter's hand in marriage." Jude stated, this time with no stammers or struggles, he had concentrated on the idea that this wasn't Mr. Knight he was talking to, but someone else and it came out right.

[Alexander Knight]

Everything that Alexander had ever thought or supposed about Judas came thundering down when the boy asked him that question. He almost wanted to laugh outright, the idea was so preposterous. Instead he stared Judas down, not blinking, not taking his hawk like eyes off the boy.

"You. What?" He asked icily, staring at Judas. He never, never would have guessed that the boy wanted to marry his daughter. He was a child for starter's, only seventeen years old! That was far too young to get married. Alexander's fingers curled into a fist at the very thought, and he continued to stare at Judas, his expression unreadable.

[Judas Strong]

Jude didn't know what the other man was thinking, but he took a few steps forward so he could at least stand by the table the man sat at, so he could at least attempt to be more intimidating and convincing in what he was saying. "Yes. I love her," He swallowed down what seemed to be a rock before he let out a sigh, closed his eyes, and then opened them.

"Please, I will do everything for her, for the rest of time..." He pleaded lightly.

[Alexander Knight]

If Alexander had ever ever entertained thoughts that his daughter, of a mere seventeen years would get married, it was brief, slightly wistful, a thought that he always quickly tucked away, remembering that it would take years to come to fruition. And now this... child had come along and dashed that hope away with a sentence.

Alexander stood slowly, noting how small and frail Judas looked. The boy was all skin and bones, no muscle, no nothing. Alexander strode over to him in and in one quick moment was barely inches from the boy, who he stood nose to forehead with, staring him down.

"I will ask you this one. Last. Time." Alexander breathed, "what do you want?"

[Judas Strong]

Jude had stood fearlessly in front of Hippogriffs, he calmed them down, he wasn't one to be afraid very often, but the second this man stood inches from his face, and stared down at him, this was frightening even for a boy his height, after all he easily stood at five feet and eleven inches tall even for a boy his age, his hands balled into fists as he stood before Mr. Knight nervously.

"I already told you what I want," Jude replied, gaining some of his spine and confidence back, he stared up at the man known as Alexander, he let out a soft sigh. "And I won't leave until I get the answer I want..." He explained, swallowing down a rock, nervous as he spoke such bold words.

[Alexander Knight]

Alexander stared deep into Jude's eyes, judging, searching, tearing, looking for what he wanted. After a couple of seemingly endless seconds after the boy spoke, Alexander stepped away, turning back to the desk, clenching and unclenching his fist.

"I see you will not be easily deterred." He said softly, turning back to Judas. "So tell me Mr Strong, why do you deserve to marry my daughter?"

[Judas Strong]

When the man finally stepped back Jude seemed to relax a little, his held breath was exhaled and he began to breath normally once more. He stared at the back of Mr. Knight's neck intently, as the man finally spoke and asked him why he deserved to marry his daughter.

"Because, unlike what you think, sir... I'm kind to her, I care for her, I love her and I know I can provide for her..." Jude explained, "And I will be pursuing the most formidable career I can find soon, so I can provide even more." Jude nodded, feeling that his answer was quite sufficient. "I will give her the life she wants, the biggest wedding she wants.... Of course, once I get a bit of money, so we wouldn't be getting married immediately, but I'd like the feeling of knowing I'm engaged, it's a connection of sorts.." Jude put a hand to his heart, and closed his eyes, smiling. He was head over heels.

[Alexander Knight]

The auror's hawklike eyes were still fixed intently upon the young boys, his mind was in a whirl. By now he had gotten over the initial shock of this child asking him for his daughter's hand in marriage, and had moved on to the rational problems. Where would they live? How would they support themselves? The problems with what Judas was proposing were seemingly infinite.

However Alex doubted that he would be able to persuade the lovesick boy of the reality of this. Judas eyes said it all, he was infatuated indeed, Alex snorted softly to himself as he thought of his own wife and what she might say about this.

"And what would you do if I said no?" He asked, still watching the boy closely.

[Judas Strong]

When the man asked him for a set of actions that he would perform if he were to say no, Jude closed his eyes for a moment, picking apart what he would have done, what he would do if this man were to say no, he truly didn't think about this, though he didn't really understand why he hadn't thought about it. After all his girlfriend's father had always been rather cruel to him, very truly mean, so he didn't know how to deal with it in all reality.

The boy sighed finally and opened his eyes, he finally had come up with a decision. "I will stand here, for as long as I can, and if for some reason I need to leave, I will keep coming back, you will not get a moment of peace." He smiled.

[Alexander Knight]

Alex laughed. Full on, outright laughter that rumbled out of the man, transforming his face, posture, everything about him. But a moment later it was gone, and he was the stern, upright man that he had been before, although a smile did tug at the corner's of his mouth.

"I do apologise," he said curtly, "but I doubt you would be any match for me in a duel Mr Strong." He turned away, sitting back down at his desk, continuing through his papers as though Judas wasn't there.

[Judas Strong]

Jude was normally a very kind boy, patient in every sense of that word. He forgave and forgot different kinds of things, even bullying during his school years was often overlooked, he never told anyone to leave him alone or anything of that sort, but this was going too far. The man laughed at him, outright and then proceeded to tell him that he was no match.

Jude's eyes narrowed, and he stared with intensity in his eyes, a fire lighting up as he stared at the man who was now at his desk. He came up to the desk, and placed his hands palm down onto the desk, though more like slamming them in his anger. "I'll duel you right now!" He stated boldly, he was one of those at the top of his class after all, he knew his spells well, he could put up a fight, and while he was no experienced Auror he could at least stand up for his love.

[Alexander Knight]

The man gritted his teeth at the boy's words. He was beginning to get tired of this nonsense. He stood labouriously, looking at Judas, sizing him up. "You truly think you could best me?" He asked quietly, "a fully trained auror? I've been hunting dark wizards longer than you've been alive."

He shook his head. "I'll give you one chance. Walk out that door, and we'll never speak of this again. Otherwise," he spread his hands, "I'm afraid we will have a bit of a problem"

[Judas Strong]

Jude raised an eyebrow at the man who was asking him such rhetorical questions, he knew better then to answer them even though he wanted to so badly. He knew that if he did though, something rude would fumble out of his mouth. He knew that this man could destroy him when it came to spells, he was an Auror after all. But that didn't necessarily mean Jude was going to back down without a fight.

"I won't walk out this door, Mr. Knight. I already told you what I want, and I'm not leaving until I get what I want.." You had to hand it to the boy, he was at least very ambitious, a noble trait when it came to Ravenclaw.

[Alexander Knight]

"Hmph." Alex made a noise somewhere in his throat, and looked at Jude. "I'm sorry Mr Strong, but I cannot give you permission. Have you thought about what you would do, how you would support yourselves? Where you would live?" He shook his head.

"No, you haven't, you like every other seventeen year old thinks only of the here and now. But that will not help you or Caroline several years from now when you discover you were not meant for each other. No, leave Mr Strong, you will thank me for it eventually."

[Judas Strong]

Jude stared at the man, he wasn't going to give up now, he wasn't going to. "...I have thought about it, I live with my father now, and I do not plan to move from that land ever, it is something that will be given to me." Jude explained, "How? Sir, I have thought about this long and hard, I plan to get a job immediately, while I advertisement myself as an artist... My family also has a stash and revenue from Hippogriff breeding." Jude continued.

"So you cannot tell me, that I have not thought about it. Because that is simply not true. I have given it very many hours of thought. So I am not leaving," Jude stated. Leaning away from the desk. "There wasn't even a plan for the wedding yet," He started looking dejected, and saddened. "I was hoping to be with her for longer, as a fiance.."

[Alexander Knight]

Alexander gave Judas a slightly contemptuous look as he drummed his knuckles on the desk. The boy was so young, so naive. He had no idea what he was talking about, none at all. Perhaps he thought that he could love and care for Caroline now, but Alex knew all too well the false promises of young men.

Although it was hard to believe it he had been that young once; long ago. He had done things that made him cringe to think of, and it was only his father's stern and at the time cruel seeming hand that guided him out of potential catastrophes.

"An artist". The idea was almost laughable. Jude wanted to support himself as an artist. It was his years of training that allowed Alexander to maintain calm when he wanted to snort and throw the boy out with his bare hands in order to knock some sense into the kid.

The idea of them simply staying engaged for a while did help to assuage some of Alexander's fears, at least they wouldn't run off together, or at least they wouldn't soon.

Alexander fixed Judas with a stare for a long moment before turning away again.

"Remain as long as you like," he said stiffly, "I will not change my mind."

[Judas Strong]

Judas bit down on his tongue, resisting saying anything rude or back talking to the man. It was apparent that he would not be convincing this man any time soon, which meant that Jude would simply get engaged without his permission, he tried being polite, he tried. He looked thoroughly upset with the results.

"She's a grown woman, we are both legally adults.. I know I love her, and want to stay with her for the rest of time... You can believe what you want, sir.. But I won't let you stop me from allowing me to prove my love." Jude stared at the man, his eyes were full of loss, but his words full of confidence.

[Alexander Knight]

"Prove your love?" Alexander echoed, amused. The boy was all emotion and passion, no brains and no sense. While this didn't surprise the auror it did make him all the more determined not to let Judas go through with this 'marriage'.

"Have you spoken to your own father about this?" He asked after a moment, "I am quite sure that Benjamin Strong would not approve of rushing into anything so foolhardy, especially when it concerns his own son."

He turned away once again, waving the boy off as if he were a pesky fly. "Have your father contact me and maybe we'll talk, now leave, I have work to do."

[Judas Strong]

Jude's jaw tightened only more, strung tightly as he stared at the elder Knight, he was annoyed with his words. With his mocking demeanor.

A sigh left the boys lips, and he turned. "I will, you will be hearing from my father, soon.." He uttered, and without another word, or even breathe he disapparated from the household with a loud pop.

[Alexander Knight]

Watching as the young man departed, Alex shook his head slightly, as if to rid it of the troublesome thoughts the boy had left in his wake. Still, it was for the best. Hopefully now they would both take things slower, rather than rushing rashly into a decision.

Good choices were never made that way anyway. And if, if in a bit of time they were still together and as madly in love as Judas claimed, then perhaps he would reconsider. Perhaps one day the boy would look back on this encounter and laugh at his own foolishness.

Only time would tell.