Strings of Fate

Cam 24- Pride and permits.

“Problem solved.” He tellswith a proud grin. | have to fight not to roll my eyes at him.

“It sure is.” | answer without looking up from the drink I'm making.

“It's a good thing they were women, I'm not nearly so good at deescalating arguments between men. They tend to just get pissed off when | intervene. Actually men just seem to be pissed off atall the time.” Harry sighs, but he doesn’t really sound bothered, it seems more put on than anything else.

“I can’t imagine how that would feel.” | say sarcastically.

“I know, it’s so unfair that they hate me, | haven't done anything to them. At least not usually.” Harry complains.

“I was talking about the feeling of being pissed off with you all the time, but sure whatever.” 1 walk to the other side of the bar and collect a couple of empty glasses. | clean them and put them away slowly. | drag my feet as | return to where Harry is waiting. He smiles at me.

“What, no thank you?” He prompts. | shrug.

“Sure, thank you.” | tell him flatly. His eyes narrow suspiciously.

“Why didn’t it sound like you meant that? Actually why are you avoiding my eyes...” He trails.

off as he studies me.

“Are you... angry with me?” He asks, a little surprised.

“No.” | instantly deny it. I'm not mad at him. He can flirt with whoever he wants. Actually, yes | am angry. This was my fight, he didn’t need to step in, although it was helpful 1 suppose. But does he not care how it makes him look? He goes on and on about how dedicated he is to me, then makes a fool of himself in my bar, He hasn't made a fool ofbecause I'm not with him. But does he not realise that it makes him look like a flighty, womanising liar? Still, I'm not going to tell him that.

1/5 Cam 24- Pride and permits “You definitely are angry with me.” He announces confidently.

“But why... | mean, all | did was talk with the women.” He wonders aloud. I roll my eyes.

“You mean flirt.” | correct him then immediately regret my words, Harry's eyes light up.

“You're jealous! You're upset that | called them beautiful and gave one of them my phone number. He observes, practically glowing with glee.

“You gave them your number? Why? You can’t actually want to spend twith those stuck up hags, can you?” | ask, incredulously. Harry laughs.

“Of course | don't. I've told you dozens of times, | only want you. But | didn’t want them harassing you so | distracted them the best way | know how, besides, | gave them a fake number anyway.” He assures me. | sigh, hating how that actually does makefeel a little bit better.

“Don’t you feel any shame? Acting that way? Lying to them? It makes you look like the player that everyone assumes you are.” | point out. Harry frownlS.

“I know that, but it doesn’t matter. | wanted you to be safe and | made it happen the best way | know how. That's far more important tothan how everyone else looks at me. The only opinions | care about are yours and my own.” | states firmly. Cora has apparently been eavesdropping because she steps in close and elbows me.

“Where can | get myself a guy like that?” He jokes and Harry winks at her.

“A flirt?” | tell her flatly. She rolls her eyes at me.

“No, a guy who cares more aboutthan he does his pride.” She smiles approvingly at Harry before rushing off to get to back to work before | can ask any more questions. Is she seriously trying to tellthat she APPROVES of Harry flirting with other people in my defence? | give 1. up.

“I'm not angry.” | promise Harry.

“And I'm not jealous.” 2/5 Cam 24- Pride and permits.

Walking hthat night, Harry is in a great mood and I’m grumpy as hell. He practically skips along next to me.

“Oh con now Cam, are you still mad at me? Would it help if | apologised?” Harry asks. It's almost offensive that he’s so cheerful when I'm annoyed with him. It’s like he is totally unbothered by everything.

“Do you think you have something to apologise for?” | answer carefully. Harry thinks for at moment.

“Maybe? | don’t regret what I did, but | do acknowledge that it might cacross as disloyal and I'm anything but that. So | guess | think | need to apologise if my actions cacross as disrespectful to you. I'll try to find other methods of resolving conflict in the future.” He promises. | shrug and keep walking.

“Please stop sulking Cam, | like it better when you fight with me. Do you want to talk about plans for creating magical decorations for your bar? | bet it would piss off those Witches even more. Is that going to be a problem?” Harry asks. | know he’s just goadinginto it, but honestly I'm grateful for the excuse to change the topic.

“Oh they are definitely going to cause problems. But what | want to do isn’t illegal or unethical so there is really nothing they can do to stop it short of committing a crthemselves. Magical crimes are dealt with harshly since they are very likely to cause problems. | will check with the MRO to confirm | don’t need any licences or permits for displaying magic, but | shouldn't because the bar isn’t public, it's technically private property so the rules applying to Witches using magic in their own homes should apply. Technically the customers are guests and as long as they're not paying for the magic it should be legal. So | won't be able to charge an entry fee, but it's a bar, not a club so | don’t see a problem with that. I've never charged one in the past. If | am doing magic more obviously though I will probably have to be a little more careful with giving out spelled drinks. Since | can’t sell them.” | contemplate.

“Can't You got a permit to sell them? You're a perfectly competent Witch. | don’t see why your wouldn't be allowed to.” He suggests. | sigh.

“No, only covens can get permits to sell magic. Something about making sure there are people available to check the quality of the work and such. | don’t have a coven anymore. | 3/5 Cam 24- Pride and permits would need at least three magical members including myself to get a permit.” | explain.

“Oh, I didn’t know there were so many rules. Does that mean your mother and grandmother can’t sell potions anymore? Since you left their coven?” He asks curiously. | shake my head.

“Nah, | have a few aunts and cousins who are Witches and are part of the coven. Plus there are a few Warlocks who joined up or married into the family. Technically their magic is. different to ours but it works well enough.

Simon is a Warlock.” | sigh. Harry nods his understanding.

“Ah, | thought only Witches could be a part of a coven.” “Technically only a Witch can manage a coven, but they adapted the rules a while back to allow Warlocks to be members. That way smaller family groups could still get their permits. But either way you have to basically be willing to sell yourself off for a political marriage to end up with your own coven. Something that | am not willing to do. So I'm stuck as a loner for the foreseeable future.” | explain.

“Hmm... That seems like a dumb system.” Harry complains and | shrug.

“It is what it is.” We reach my place and | turn to Harry, waiting.

“Well? Do you have another question fortonight? I'm still not inviting you in.” I warn him. Harry laughs.

“I know that, and | don’t think you'll accept. But there's no harm in trying. Cam, would you go on a date with me?” He asks with a charming smile. | shake my head, still picturing him walking away with the two Witches hanging off of him.

“Nope. Thanks for walkinghome. Good night Harry.”