The Not-So-Welcoming World

[Adrian Rowan]

Adrian Rowan was incredibly happy with his life right now. There was just something amazing going on. The Auror knew that for once, his life was going as he wanted it to be, and he could have both worlds. Right now, he was dating Samantha, the mother of his half-blood son, Jesse. It was the most muggle of names, but Adrian loved the both of them. Samantha was adjusting to the magical world and that was where they were living. Samantha, so he thought anyway, seemed to be adjusting well. Adrian adjusted to the muggle when he was living his double life, before he met with Samantha and that all blew up in his face. For now, he just enjoyed living with his family. There would be a day that he would be proposing, since he had that ring, but he had no idea when he would do so. He was planning to soon though. Perhaps at the party tonight, he would propose. However getting Samantha there proved to be a challenge. They had a babysitter over to sit for the son, and they had the night to themselves. This was perfect for the couple, as they needed a night out. With Adrian’s hours at the Auror’s office, it was not often that they actually could spend some time together. At least with living where they did, Adrian had access to the ocean to take his boat on. He loved going out on the ocean, spending some time catching some waves. Even now he still had that surfer look and that tan going on. Adrian just could not stay out of the sun without making himself more miserable.

Upon entering the large building that revealed to be a luxurious mansion, Adrian knew that being here might bring some problems when it came to muggles. Immediately he saw his baby sister Ariah with her husband, Leviathan. They were once in an arranged marriage, and he remembered that the Zhefarovich family would kill muggles on the spot. Adrian slid his arm around Samantha’s waist rather protectively. One thing he did notice was Leviathan giving him a real dirty look, which he returned. Adrian was seeking to find another brother of his, which would be Colton and his own girl, Gabrielle. They were enjoying themselves as well, but Adrian was really concerned with coming here, since he could see some other pure-bloods in there giving the two of them some really odd looks. Adrian attempted to ignore them, as he guided his girlfriend into the dancing room so that they could have some fun and get to dancing. Adrian had to ask her first since he did not really know if she would want to, “Hey, would you like to dance, Samantha?” He usually used her name instead of a nickname when he was trying to be really nice to her and trying to get something. Most of the time, he called her Sam. Other times, when he wanted something or if he was in trouble with her, he would use Samantha. It was not a difficult system to follow. Adrian just wanted to have Samantha in his world too, even if she were a muggle. He did not care. He wanted to show off that he had the prettiest woman in the world, and that he also was one of the happiest.​

 

[Samantha Rowan]

Samantha was terrified. Samantha had known about the Wizarding world for some time, but she still didn't feel like she was fully accepted by these people. How was she supposed to fit in with everyone when she couldn't do magic like they could? Adrian constantly tried to remind Samantha that it would all be okay, but in all honesty, it really scared her to be around these people. From what she and Adrian had talked about, there were almost different classes of wizards and witches. There were the muggle borns, who were from families of non-magical folk. Then there were the half-bloods, who were the spawn of someone who is magical, and someone who isn't. This was apparently the category that Jesse fell into. There were mixed-bloods who had a variety. Half-Breeds who were from a magical parent and then another parent that wasn't quite human or something. Then there were the pure blood's. They came from families that had all magical relatives. Like Adrian. There was more to it, but that was the basic concept that Samantha had picked up from Adrian. A lot of the people that really seemed to hate her to hate her, were the one's that came from all magical families. They must not like the idea of someone who couldn't do magic at all coming into their presence. Or maybe it was because one of them decided to be with someone like her. "Why do they all look so furious?" Samantha questioned softly, curious as to why they all looked like they wanted to punch Adrian right now. Why were they treating her like this? Samantha had done nothing to any of them, and so what if she couldn't do magic! Didn't they want a variety of people in their lives? Did they even care that there were other people out there in the world?

Samantha turned to stare at Adrian when he asked her if she wanted to dance. Dancing sounded like fun, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to dance with all these people glaring at her. Apparently, even Adrian's own sister was here, and she didn't look happy to see Samantha either. It kind of hurt her feelings a little bit too. Samantha felt like Adrian's family hated her, and all she wanted to do was be accepted by them. If they had the chance to throw her out of their family, would they take it? "I feel like if I move, they're going to attack me or something. Plus you know I can't dance." Samantha leaned over and kissed Adrian's cheek, hoping that he wouldn't be mad that she had told him she wasn't dancing. Hopefully he wouldn't understand though. Right now Samantha felt like a mouse in a room full of hungry cats on the hunt. The sooner the night ended and they could go home, the better. they could lay on the couch with Jesse and watch a movie. Samantha loved the nights they were able to spend at home. At home she didn't feel like she always needed to watch her back for people who were ready to strike her down right then and there. Plus she also worried for Adrian's safety. What if they were going to be against him too? Samantha loved him, and it would kill her to see him be unhappy because of her. At first, she thought he was annoying. But now she loved almost everything about him. Even his overly cocky attitude that used to drive her up a wall. Samantha glanced at the punch bowl in the corner and wondered if she should suggest they get something to drink. ​

 

[Adrian Rowan]

Adrian could somehow sense that Samantha was terrified, and he managed to keep his eyes from the fact that they were being stared at harshly. He would have to shield her, but would they even try to stand up against an Auror like him? He doubted it. As dark as some were, without his proof otherwise he would arrest them, he knew that none would have the courage to do anything but throw around insults which could bounce off of the skin if one allowed it and carried themselves like he would. Adrian looked upon Samantha and hoped that she would be able to come around people like him and not fear. Some pure-bloods were horrible, but he wanted to make sure that everyone knew about how pure-bloods and muggles could mingle. Many have before, which was how there would be a lot of half-bloods out there. Adrian thought there was nothing wrong with it. The fact that Samantha questioned why they all looked so furious, Adrian looked to them all and saw that some were whispering and shaking their heads as if they were ashamed. He did not see how it was any of their business since this was his life, his blood. If he did not want any pure-blood seeds, then he would not have them. Plus Jesse was more than enough right now. "Well, I say they are hating the fact that I have a beautiful woman on my side. But they probably want to curse me into oblivion but can’t because I am like, what you would call the FBI. Only our punishments are a lot scarier." Adrian shrugged and thought that was one of the reasons, but truth be told, Adrian almost dared them to try something. He would have the entire Ministry here in a heartbeat if they even thought about it. He wished he could read their minds right now.

The Auror looked over at Samantha and wondered if she was going to consider dancing or not. He frowned slightly when she said that she was afraid that they were going to attack her, and how she could not dance. Adrian would not force her to do anything against her will, and thought that slow dancing could be pretty romantic right now. He knew proposing to her would stir them up, but if so, that would increase the likely to make her say no to please them. Adrian gently moved his hair out of his mint green eyes. "I suppose I can respect that. I just want you to experience everything that my world has to offer. Though you can probably attend parties like this in other places without the death glares. Just wear yourself with pride, it will drive them nuts." Adrian was trying to be encouraging, and hoped that it was working. He would take her out if she wanted to go out. But he was going to propose tonight. Adrian caught her glancing over at the punch bowl before he softly led her over there so he could pour her a drink. This stuff was not magical, but he thought that he could give her some ever-changing soda or something like that. He had long since forgotten the name of the soda. But for now it was still something. He poured her a cup and held it out for her to take. He kept one of his eyes over his shoulder, watching and waiting for a wand to be drawn. Or someone to come approaching. So far, neither have happened and he could feel like they could still belong in the magical world. Then again, if these people would not want him and Samantha there, then he would gladly leave.
​

 

[Samantha Rowan]

As sweet as his statement was about having a beautiful woman by his side, Samantha had a good feeling that this wasn't the case at all. It felt like they hated her because she had done something to them or something, it didn't feel like jealousy though. Samantha squeezed Adrian's hand tightly. "I don't know Adrian, it doesn't feel like jealousy. It honestly feels like they hate me for something." Even Adrian's sister didn't seem to like her, and from what Samantha had heard, she was usually a real sweetie at times. Samantha felt bad. Were they looking at Adrian badly because of her? Samantha vaguely wondered to herself if Adrian would be better off without her, but the thought was quickly dismissed once Adrian mentioned that group he was apart of. Samantha stared at him oddly before she shook her head. "You still sound like a cop to me. Maybe that's why they're so mad, very few people like law enforcement." Samantha teased. Adrian still reminded her of a cop whenever he spoke about hos job. No matter how much he tried to call it something different, he was pretty much the muggle equivalent of a police officer. Luckily, Samantha had always had a softness for a man in uniform.

Samantha was led over to a table with some drinks and snacks, and took the drink that Adrian handed her. Samantha didn't want to tell Adrian that she sort of wanted to leave. He wanted her to come with him so badly, what if wanting to leave hurt his feelings? He had sacrificed a lot to be with Samantha and Jesse like he was, so Samantha was willing to do just about anything to make him happy. A part of Samantha wished there was a way to make herself magic. Then maybe she would be able to fit in better when it came to the things Adrian and Jesse could do. "Are all witches and wizards this unfriendly, or is it just this punch?" Samantha asked softly as she took another sip of her drink. Samantha would love to bond with more magical folk, but it was a lot harder than she had ever hoped for it to be. None of them wanted to give her or Jesse the chance to prove that they could last in this world too. Samantha sighed and leaned into Adrian, she was trying really hard to have a good time, but it just wasn't working the way she wanted it to. ​

 

[Adrian Rowan]

Samantha just did not know how beautiful she was right now. Adrian could see it, but he could feel that others hated her for what she was. Whoever ran their mouths would be dead to him. Not literally because he was an Auror, no killer without a justifiable reason. Adrian needed to be on his toes though. He felt his hand being squeezed before he looked down at Samantha as she said that she felt that they hated her. Truth be told, they probably did. He hated it too. “I think I know what you feel. They don’t appreciate the fact that I am with someone with no magic, but they can bite me. I adore you and just want to share you with my world. Though this part of it, maybe not so much.” Adrian was not too sure if he should have come here with her, but rather show her the better places. He chuckled when she mentioned that very few people liked law enforcement and knew that wizard folk like his family and muggles were the same thing. “I think that the people here would hate to hear that they are so much like muggles when it comes to law enforcement. Let’s keep that between us.” Adrian had to suppress his laughter.

Samantha asked if it was just this bunch that were unfriendly. He was positive that they were. He should have brought her to a more accepting party of wizarding people. “It is just this bunch. I know several who love different cultures but would approach you on how some stuff work, like toasters and rubber ducks.” Adrian almost snorted when he mentioned that. He was very knowledgeable about the muggle world, even before he met Samantha, when he was living his double life to fill the void, when really, he was just like that with Samantha. She filled what he was missing. He needed her and Jesse in his life. And he was wanting to make them a family. Adrian looked down at Samantha and had this feeling that she was not having a good time. “Hey, do you want to go out somewhere? I just don’t feel like you are enjoying yourself too much. Want to go outside and talk about it?” Adrian gestured toward the balcony and wondered if she would want to go out there and talk about what might be bothering her. From how long he had known her, he knew when there was something wrong with her, and when there was nothing wrong. Right now, he was getting the sense that there definitely was.​

 

[Samantha Rowan]

Samantha scoffed as she turned her eyes back out onto the faces of the others. "Maybe we should rub it in their faces just how similar they are to muggles. Maybe then they'd get off their high horses and learn to accept others a little bit better." Samantha suggested, wondering how on earth these people would feel if they realized that they had more in common with muggles than they initially thought. They all breathed, slept, ate, and even possibly fell in love at one point or another. Sure one side could do magic and the other half couldn't, but how did that make them feel special? If it wasn't for the muggles existing, none of them would be all that special. At least Samantha had Adrian in her life. He had quite the open mind when it came to muggles and their culture. In fact he even preferred to act like a muggle himself sometimes! At first it was seriously cute watching him try to work a stove. He no longer needed help in the kitchen though. Must be all of those cooking shows Samantha let him watch, because lately he had been pretty handy when it came to helping out in the kitchen.

"They don't even know what a toaster is? How do you people cook your bread-you know what, never mind." Samantha figured that some part of her wouldn't understand. There was no ounce of magic within her, so the only contact she had with it came from Adrian or Jesse. Adrian offered to go somewhere else and Samantha bit her lip. Hopefully she wasn't ruining his time at the party. "Only if you want to. I'd hate to to have you leave the party just because I'm uncomfortable. I'd feel like crap if I ruined your night." Samantha casually wondered if Adrian ever missed being apart of the wizarding world and not being shunned by others. He had pure blood supposedly, which meant that he was usually accepted by these sort of people with open arms. Because of Samantha, they probably wanted nothing to do with him. He had no idea how bad that made her feel. If Samantha had known what she was getting herself into, she might have been more cautious around Adrian when they had first met. Not that she would have changed her past, because she loved Adrian. But more or less she would have made sure this is what he really wanted.
​

 

[Adrian Rowan]

Adrian thought that the party was somewhat of a drag, but knowing that the pure-bloods there did not know what a toaster was, well, it was somewhat funny. Adrian knew some of muggle things when he met Samantha, but now, he knew a lot more since he had lived with Samantha. Samantha was everything to him, and he liked it. He was in love with her. He would have to explain more of the culture of his. Some of the hate, he could leave out though. It would be something that he did not ever want to go through or experience, and did not want his son to go through it either. She said that she did not want to ruin his night, and he doubted that she would ever do that, unless she said no to the big question he would be asking her soon enough. But he did not want to say that just yet. "Babe, you could never ruin my night. Come on, I'll show you the best thing about magic. All you have to do is follow me to the balcony." Adrian took her by the hand and he led her outside, ignoring the folks and what they were saying. He did not care. Taking his wand out, he held it up in the sky and he summoned his broom where it flew down and hovered in front of the two of them.

"So, we are going to go flying. This area is magical, so we don't have to worry about exposure. What I need you to do is hold on tight to me, and don't freak out about the height. If you think riding on a boat is fun, you will think that is a mere ride on a bike compared to this." He threw his leg over and waited until Samantha was behind him, her arms wrapped around his torso. He then hovered for a moment, before taking off into the dark blue that is the sky. This was what magic was. Freedom, pure freedom. Adrian could not help smiling as he flew higher and higher. Any higher and one might be able to touch a cloud. Adrian looked back at her as he slowed the broom down a bit, so that they could talk without the burden of the wind getting in the way. "So, if I show you the good of this, would you want to perhaps live in a place that has magic and muggle? Where cultures can mix and mingle, and everyone is accepted?"​

 

[Samantha Rowan]

Samantha wondered what Adrian had in mind for the night. He was usually pretty crafty with his surprises, so she honestly had no idea what he had in mind by asking her to come to the balcony with him. He wanted to show her the best thing about magic, hmm? Samantha was intrigued. "This isn't going to be like the time you told me you had a surprise for me then-well okay then!" Samantha couldn't even finish her sentence before she was being taken by the hand and led outside onto the balcony. Samantha took in the scenery, unsure as to what her man had planned. Hopefully it was nothing really weird or creepy, because that would totally just kill the mood. Then Samantha saw the broomstick and paused. Oh he had to be kidding! "Adrian we've talked about this, I'm not going on one of those things." He knew better. But what Samantha didn't expect from him was the fact that he was going to give her the freaking puppy eyes and spew out some of the sweetest things she had heard in some time. Now she felt like she had to at least try it out for a few minutes. Damn him and his puppy dog eyes!

Samantha climbed onto the broomstick behind Adrian and wrapped her arms around his torso. Although she nodded to what he told her, inside she was secretly praying that they wouldn't fall or run into anything. When they actually took off, Samantha's stomach dropped and she buried her head into Adrian's back. Normally she wasn't too afraid of heights, but the flimsy broomstick they were currently on did nothing to ease the nerves that were building up right now. Adrian would never let her get hurt, but Samantha was still quite worried. "Adrian, even if you didn't show me in the good in this, I would still do it. I love both you and Jesse dearly, and I'd be a cruel human being if I tried to keep your wizarding heritage from you." This world was different from everything she had ever been taught, or everything she had ever known. But this world still had something beautiful to it. Plus Jesse and Adrian shouldn't be kept from their roots. They were magical, and that was something that Samantha felt should be embraced, no matter how weird it sometimes felt for her to be around them. ​

 

[Adrian Rowan]

Adrian knew that he would have no other choice but to do along with his plans. He just hoped that she would say yes to his marriage proposal. He had the ring and everything, hell, by now, he would love it if they eloped. None of his family would show up for the wedding anyway. Well, she would have to say yet first. That was the first step. At least she even got on the broom, that was good enough for him. Adrian made sure that he was flying really slow, and then shifted so that he was sitting next to her, and that he could talk to her. She mentioned that even if he didn't show her the good in this, she would still move. She loved both him and Jesse, and didn't want to keep the wizarding heritage from them. He smiled, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the diamond ring. "Well, let's move to New Zealand, closer to my school and a school for Jesse. And marry me. We can be the newest Rowan family, the way that everyone needs to be." He let it sink in for a few moments, before Samantha accepted. The changes would be made to their lives at some point, and he couldn't wait. He slipped the ring onto her finger and then pressed his lips to her to celebrate the new engagement. He was getting married. He would of course invite Colton and Gabrielle. At least they would be happy for him. Gavin and Jesse would be adorable as the ring bearers.​

---

Fin​