alec and sacre walked down the stairs to the basement. as they walked sacre waved his wand and steel shutters fell down over the windows and the lights brightened slightly. you mind reminding me why i agreed to fight an 11 year old? alec asked as he went over to the closet to get his old sword. when he walked back in his face was hard and set.

sacre sighed, because he's your brother and you agreed all on your own. you were the one that said yes. sacre pointed out with his arms crossed.

yeah i know that but still... he sighed, how do you think it will help my self-esteem when i lil kids beats me? he asked with a frown. i've been locked away for ten years. you know everyone is lucky i never hung myself like i really wanted to half the time. he said as he stared out into space. he had to admit he was lucky he had at least his dad to confide all of this too. he knew that most of his thoughts wouldn't be very welcomed if he were to express them to anyone else.

sacre walked over and patted him on the back, i know its hard son, but things will get better for you soon enough. as time passes azkaban will be nothing but a blurry memory, he said gently and gave a small smile as alec nodded.

i know...just wish...well you know. he siad as he shrugged. now wheres the kid? he asked wanting to change the subject.

he's coming. be a bit more patient. he said with a smile of his own.

Parker came down the stairs to the training room. Hey Alec, hey dad. He said when he got to the room.

hey parkersacre smiled as alec nodded in greeting. go on and get your sword from the closet and we'll begin. he said as alec stripped off his shirt to show less defined abs then he had last trained though he was thankful they were still there nonetheless.

Parker walked over and grabbed his sword, he slipped off his shoes and swung it around a few times, getting the feel of it once again. It had been a couple of months since he had trained last, and he wasn't quite sure how he was going to go against Alec.

sacre looked from his eldest to his youngest son before giving a small nod, alrigth you two. face each other and get ready... he said.

alec stared and looked at parker. swings his sword around in his hand before going into a fighting stance.

Parker turned to face his brother, almost mirroring his actions.

have at it. sacre said before backing away from them both and going to stand by the stairs.

alec didn't move. his face was set and his eyes locked on parker as he waited for him to do something first. to see if he would for that matter.

Parker stood there, ready for an attack from his brother. Sacre had always taught him to never make the first move and to never be over anxious to fight.

sacre looked from one to the other and sighed, i'm gonna count to three and by then one of you better send an attack or i'm calling the whole thing off and you'll never fight each other. he said sternly.

Alec didn't move except to glance over at sacre as he spoke before letting his eyes fall on parker again. his eyes suddenly boring into his holding his gaze. locking it in place.

Parker still refused to move. There was no way in the world he was going to break first.

sacre looked from one son to the other and sighed, three...two...o-

alec's eyes suddenly went black and he charged. his sword coming up fast before slamming down towards the side of parker's neck. his sudden movements even taking sacre by surprise as they cut him off from his counting.

Parker was ready for the attack, he had been expecting it, or planning to do the same himself. Before Alec was anywhere near him he ducked and swung at the back of Alec's legs.

alec swung his blade back and blocked parker's. the sound of steel clashing on steel echoed through the room. spinning around alec stared back at parker but this time his eyes were no longer black but where white with little lines pointing towards the center. he could see 180 degrees all around him. it had been something neji had taught him long ago because sacre hadn't known how to teach it himself.

Parker was a bit taken aback by Alec's eyes but didn't allow it to ruin his focus. When his attack was blocked he jumped back quickly and went for another attack to Alec's neck.

alec brought his sword up and blocked up before bring his foot up and kicking him away from him swiftly. the force of the kicking enough to send him across the room and into the wall.

As Parker hit the wall he coughed slightly, trying to get his breath back, but he was determined to keep fighting. He sprang back towards his brother attacking three times swiftly to his neck, side and legs.

alec blocked each one with ease and with the last one swung both swords down so he had parker's pinned under his own.

Parker jumped back and held his hands up in surrender. Woah! Ok! You win. He said, that having been way too close for comfort.

alec grinned as he straightened up and after blinking once his eyes were back to normal. eh, its okay. i'm a bit surprised you did so well to be honest. he said as sacre walked over to them.

Parker smiled. Thanks. Although Claire told me how you fight, so I was fairly well prepared. He explained.

alec shook his head, claire doesn't know everything when it comes to my fighting kid. i held back with i fought her...then again i held back with you too. he said before shrugging.

Claire came down the stairs having heard what Alec said. No, but I watched you fight for my entire life, I know how you fight Alec Weasley. She said with a grin, leaning against the doorframe.

alec chuckled as he shook his head, but can't it be argued that an observation is different from an experienced opinion? he asked as he looked over at her.

Well I don't know, I've only ever experienced fighting you once and 'you went easy' on me. She said, holding up her fingers a speech marks.

alec rose a brow at her, i didn't say i went easy on you i said i held back...and isn't it rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversations? he asked with a raised brow.

I was walking down the stairs and you were talking loudly, thats hardly eavesdropping. She smirked at him, her eyes teasing.

alec looked away from her with a small smile, right well i'm gonna go. so i'll talk to you guys later.. he said and with a blink of an eye he was gone.

sacre walked over and picked up the sword that lay where alec had just stood and picked it up with a thoughtful frown.

Claire looked at the spot where Alec had just been, completely confused with what had just happened.

sacre looked over at claire for a moment before looking over at parker, go and get yourself cleaned up bud. have your mum look at the bruise on your back fro when you hit the wall. he said nodding towards the stairs.

Parker nodded and dashed up the stairs past Claire who still hadn't moved.

sacre looked over at claire before going into the other room to put th eswords back and then pulled out his wand when he came back out and waved it so the steel doors rose back up and let the sunlight in from outside. you okay there? he asked claire as he put his wand back.

I just don't understand him anymore. One moment his almost like he was before he went to azkaban, and the next his doing things like that. She said softly.

sacre nodded understandingly, its hard for him. he knows how you want him to act. how everyone wants him to be like he was before he left but sometimes he can't. he doesn't want to worry everyone but sometimes he just can't bring himself out of it. he explained gently.

I don't want him to be who he was before, I want him to be who he is now. I know his been through a lot and I want to help him. He just won't let me. She sighed,frustrated.

sacre nodded with a small smile, he doesn't want you to have to help him... he said softly.

Well I'm here and I want to help. She said, finally letting her frustrations with him out. And his not the only one thats been through a hard time the past ten years. Sure he was in azkaban and nothing can compare to that. But he doesn't get that maybe some of us had a hard time while he wasn't here! If I had known he was going to come back and act like this maybe I would have dated some of those guys that asked me out over the years instead of sitting around like a fool, waiting for him to come back.

if you had done that he wouldn't be here at all. he wouldn't have lasted the ten years he was there. sacre said softly. most people don't last ten years, and those that do go into therapy about the whole thing. he explained. its a very hard transition and i know its frustrating for you but its going to take time. he said gently.

Claire sat down on the step. I've waited ten years for him. I don't know how much longer I can wait. She said softly.

sacre sat down next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder lightly, he does love you claire. he's loved you his whole life even if he doesn't know he has. i've seen you guys survive through so much...don't let all that be have been in vain... he said softly.