After The Magic Has Faded

Joey chuckled and nodded, giving her a playful squeeze,"Yes, Yes I did."

Astoria smiled and sighed contently. "Are you hungry?" She asked, running her hand over his side and chest.

"Actually, very,"he said with a chuckle, nodding. He sat up, looking around for their clothes, which were scattered around the tent.

(Gotta go for dinner, I'll be back later!)

Astoria sat up and found the sheet, wrapping it around her body. She got up, shivering all of a sudden as she found bits and pieces of her clothes.

"So, what do we do next? Stay? Travel?" Joey wasn't quite sure when it would be safe to go out. What if the war wasn't over? Or, what if someone caught him? He was scared and worried.

Astoria took the blanket off of her and slipped her clothes on. "I don't know yet." She said softly. "Do you have any idea where that family could be?"

"They could still be home, wizard homes were virtually untouched because of, well, magic," Joey said with a shrug,"Unless there is a safe haven for wizards somewhere I have no idea."

Astoria shook her head. "Not that I know of. We use protective enchantments. We can go tomorrow if you'd like."

He nodded slowly, pulling the blanket over his waist and sitting up,"We need to be careful..."

Astoria nodded. "We will be." She smiled over her shoulder at him before going outside to start a fire and cook some beans.

He found his clothes and got dressed, following her out to the fire,"Do you want to find your family?"

Astoria handed him a plate and some water before fixing her own, not meeting his eyes. "That can wait." She answered quietly.

Joey nodded before eating, focusing on the fire. There were so many sounds in the darkness. Celebration. Screams- some of joy, some of fear, some that were indescribable. What would happen to Muggles now?

Astoria ate quietly, trying not to think about any of it. She finished her food and went back into the tent.

Joey stayed by the fire for awhile before going inside, watching her and nodding,"So... What do you think will happen to Muggles?"

Astoria sighed and sat on her cot, running a brush through her long hair. "I don't know." She answered, watching the candles flicker. "I honestly don't.."

Joey nodded and headed back out, watching and listening. He wasn't worried about himself, but his race. He couldn't be upset in front of Astoria, her race won. He had to be happy for her.

For the first time, Astoria almost felt bad for being a witch. She sat there for a minute, then she slowly got up and walked back out, wrapping her arms around him front behind and resting her forehead against his back. "I know it must be hard. It's okay to be upset." She said quietly.

Joey nodded and sighed,"But the war is over, and that's all I've wanted for so long... Why isn't that enough?"

Astoria squeezed him gently and leaned up to kiss the back of his neck. "Because just because the war is over, it doesn't mean that things will get any better. There will never be peace."

"But why not? Why must it be one way or the other?" Joey sighed and bowed his head, kissing her hand,"There was peace before..."

"There was peace before the Muggle population found out about our existence. The Muggles felt threatened by our power, and we felt like it is up to us to rule the world." She said softly.

Joe sighed, his jaw clenching. Of coarse they were threatened... And why did the wizard have to rule? Why did anyone have to rule the world?

Astoria felt his body tense slightly and she slowly let him go and took a step back. She grabbed his shoulders and turned him around to face her. "I'm not like all of them. Not anymore." She whispered, her eyes a little fearful. She didn't want him to hold a grudge against her because of what she is.

"I'm not upset with you, Astoria, it's the situation. Mankind is selfish and mean, and it makes me angry,"Joey said with a sigh," What if we go instinct? Or are enslaved?"

Astoria sighed. "You won't go extinct. There's too many of you. And there are plenty of wizards who are against genocide. There would be another uprising." She took his hand. "You could be enslaved. It's too soon to tell."

"It wouldn't be genocide if we just fire... We can't make food out of thin air or keep heat in a jar, you know?" He wrapped his arms around her,"We're tough, but the elements are against us."

Astoria frowned and leaned against him. "Hey. We can't get food out of thin air. We can change the quality and form of it though." She closed her eyes. "You have guns. Those are really scary."

"Only when we had ammunition. Our factories got shut down, guns are as good as hammers now,"Joey said as he shook his head.

Astoria sighed and squeezed him gently before pulling away. "Let's not talk about this anymore." She whispered. She walked back inside of the tent and splashed some water in her face before going to sit down.

It was a hard, horrible truth and he looked up at the moon before putting out the fire and heading inside.

Astoria sat there, Indian style, as she thought about everything. She wanted to make sure that Joey remains safe. If he does find that family and they do take him in, then what? Does she go back to her parents? How could she ever face them?

Joey leaned down and kissed her forehead,"Everything will be good, I promise. "

Astoria looked up at him and smiled slightly. "I sure hope so." She whispered, her eyes meeting his through the dark.

Joey sighed and rested his forehead against hers,"We could always live here forever,"he teased.

Astoria laughed and took his hand. "Oh no. I would like a real shower and food sooner or later." She replied. She slowly stood up and clutched his shirt in her fists, leaning up to peck his lips. "But this isn't so bad." She whispered.

He grinned,"Not at all,"his hands found her hips,"And maybe we should stay for a few days... Until things calm down."

Astoria smiled and gently rubbed his chest and shoulders. "Mm.. That sounds like a great idea." She whispered, kissing his jaw.

Joey grinned and picked her up, kissing her slowly, sweetly. He had no problem waiting a few more days.

Astoria wrapped her arms and legs around him, kissing him back deeply. She felt so safe in his arms. So normal. Nothing matters but them right now.