A.N: sorry, haven't updated in a while. R&R!

Professor Kirke settled in his chair, he took the pipe that he rarely smoked, from his mouth.

He cleared the hair from his face and cracked open his leather bound book. The book he read was rather bland, so he chose to walk around his house instead.

As he was walking, a boy walked into him. Edmund looked up and said, "Oh, sorry Professor."

He had rarely seen the old man around.

The professor chuckled and asked, "Where are your siblings?"

Edmund said, "Oh, the girls are exploring the house, but my brother is in his room.

The old professor stared at Edmund, he reminded him of himself when he was just a boy, boyish, daring, careless, and very straight forward. He wouldn't bother to think once he sees an opportunity.

The other children rarely talked too much to him, they were standoffish but polite and timid, but Edmund spoke to him as if he were just another man he knew.

Lucy waltzed in and went up to the old professor and her brother, Susan followed her. They greeted the old man shyly and then they hesitated before Susan asked, "Um, Professor, who is this?" The old man looked at the photograph that the young girl held in her hands.

A pretty girl with blonde hair and striking eyes stared at the camera; she was almost smiling, which was unusual for a photograph then. The picture was hazy and browned, very antique. Although the colors were faded and there were no colors than brown and gray, you could see that her eyes were piercing and cold, yet softened.

The professor sighed and motioned everyone to sit down at one of the armchairs.

Lucy sighed and said, "She's very beautiful, I hope I can look like that someday."

Susan nodded in agreement.

Peter smiled and Edmund admired the photo.

Susan shyly asked, "Was that your late wife?"

Professor Kirke shook his head remorsefully.

He asked in a gravely voice, "Where did you ever find this child?" Lucy said, "Oh, I found it in an old dresser that was in my room."

He nodded slowly. Susan asked again, "Who is she?"

Underneath all the hair covering his face, you could see a smile from the old man, this time, he spoke as Digory, "She was the most beautiful girl I had seen, of course, I wouldn't admit that out loud until now. My best friend. We knew each other in our prime age, and we separated at thirteen, and then we reunited at seventeen, whilst she was sixteen. I loved her in secret in my whole experience as an adolescent. I have a gut feeling she loved me too, but, I came into her life again too late, she was already arranged to court with some decent fellows that her mother had approved of already."

Lucy and Susan sighed dreamily at the romance that was unfolding in their imagination as they pictured the young couple.

Digory went over to his bookshelf. He retrieved an old and dusty album. He unfolded it and Edmund took it to show everyone. Professor Kirke pointed out a picture of a young and sturdy man in his early twenties, or perhaps at the brink of twenty. He was dashing and his handsome features were charming and startling.

He had thick and messy hair a nice build with a sweet boyishness that still remained on his face, now that boyishness was tarnished and faded, but if you stared deep, into Professor Kirke's glasses, you can see his eyes, and deeper into his eyes, you can still see a twinkle of boyish sweetness.

Lucy and Susan sighed once again at this handsome man and Professor Kirke said, "That is me, before I was a professor, when I was still Digory Kirke, or to my neighbors, the Kirke boy." Edmund was startled, how can someone so bold and noble looking be reduced to a hairy old man?

Sure, he still had a noble nose and nice eyes, but he was so old now and needed a cane. His young thoughts circulated in his head and Lucy was thinking the same thing.

"What was her name?" In her trance, Susan had forgotten to address him as Professor Kirke.

Digory said, "Polly. When we first met, we made fun of each others' names. She told me that Digory was silly and I told her the same for Polly. After a while, I had begun to fancy her."

"And this Narnia you told me of at your previous visit, we have been there, when were about ten years old, we went there by accident." Susan snorted at the old man's willingness to play along with their story of Narnia, but Lucy, mind her young head, seemed to be shocked about the fact that this old man had traveled there too. Edmund said, "Professor, sir, what do you mean you've been there?"

Digory said, "I have seen its lands, I saw the Crystal Rivers and the vast greenness and the jewel like stones and the singing tress and the great blue sky, and most importantly, I have seen Aslan, I have spoken to him. As for the lamp post you have seen, I was there when Jadis planted it into the young grass that had just sprouted when Narnia first came to life."

Peter looked at him in disbelief, he spoke the truth! He asked him, "Who is Jadis, sir?" Prof. Kirke said, "She was the White Witch, before she changed her name, it was I who brought her into Narnia." Digory hung his head regretfully.

The children were enticed by the story, so captivated that their mouths hung open, hungry for more.

Susan couldn't help but be interested by the story, so she said, "Please, continue."

The old man began the story again, this time; the children could clearly see it in their heads….

It was another late night and Digory was up and waiting for Polly by his window that looked out over her house. He sat in the darkness; the only light was coming from the lightening outside. A coach drew up by the house and Digory sat straight up. He looked out. Polly stepped out with a young man by her side, they were laughing and had their arms linked.

Digory stared at the boy, puzzled. He was thin and had a tailored black suit. He had a rather silly top hat and a golden pocket watch that dangled from a golden chain from inside his coat.

He looked wealthy. He had sandy colored hair and had a sharp chin. He was good-looking and had rather serious eyes.

Digory sprinted downstairs. He rushed at Polly like a mad man and exclaimed, "Dear Polly! Where have you been?" He asked exaggeratedly, waving his arms at her. The boy looked at him, Digory's hair was messy from sleeping on his window and his shirt had dark spots on it from the splatters of rain and his pockets were inside out on his pants, so they hung out.

Polly looked at him, wide-eyed. She opened her mouth wide, but Digory grabbed her arm and said, "Why are you out so late?" Polly scoffed at him and said coldly, "Digory what are you doing? This is George, Digory now, go inside like a good boy and I'll speak to you later." George looked at Digory with disgust.

Digory stepped back and looked at Polly, for the first time he saw that she was wearing a ball gown. It was pretty and white and draped down her like a very delicate material. Digory's face grew red and then he said, "Come; now Polly, this isn't good for the baby!"

Polly gaped at Digory, with her cheeks flushed red, she stared at him and George frowned. He turned to Polly and cried out, "Who is this mad lunatic! This peasant of a boy is your husband!" Polly stared at Digory in horror. Digory's face pulled no emotions. Digory turned to George and said in an unnaturally serious way, "Pardon me, George, but I think you should leeeeeave, your fiiinne coach is just getting awfully drenched!" he said with a mocking twang, accent that imitated George's rich speech.

George looked at Polly and stared at Digory's taller figure and gathered his hat on his head and turned back to his cab. His shiny shoes made a tapping noise on the ground as he retreated.

Polly stared at Digory with her mouth hanging open. Digory reached over and shut it. He couldn't help but smile with glee and malice. Polly kicked Digory hard in the shins and turned away to look at her door. Polly knocked on it furiously, her knuckles rapped against the wood and wouldn't stop, she pulled the door knocker, but no one came.

She turned at Digory, her face was flushed and her eyes were cold and watery she spoke to him with disgust, "What are you doing? Why are you being such an ass? What I do is none of your business why do you do this to me?" Digory said, "Come on, Polly, I was just playing!" Polly's face was consumed with anger, "That was not play! You have ruined everything! What was that! Are you jealous or something? Because I DO like George, I really do, and you are jealous aren't you?"

Digory said, "Oh, don't be thick Polly, I wouldn't be jealous of this so called George! Why would I be? Who would want to be this prissy little rich lad with a thick girl hanging by his side?" Polly slapped Digory and yelled, "Why did you have to come back? Why didn't you just stay in the country! Everything was fine until you arrived! You haven't changed at all, you are so childish and you RUIN EVERYTHING! I don't want to ever see you again!" The door opened wide and Polly's mother stared at them groggily.

She saw Polly and Digory staring at each other quietly, Polly was glaring and her eyes were watery and Digory looked flushed. She rubbed her eyes and said, "Polly? What are you doing? Where's George? I thought you went out with him today."

"I was Mother, go inside, it's cold, I'll be in." Polly's mother nodded and eyed Digory suspiciously before leaving. Polly gave Digory one last look and turned and shut the door on him.

Polly sat in her work dress and swung her legs around on the big wooden chair next to the tree in her yard. She sighed wistfully and looked towards the garden wall that separated her's and Digory's home.

A face suddenly popped up from behind, then, came the torsos lifted by the arms, and finally; Digory unfolded his long legs from behind the wall and jumped down with a thud. Polly looked down.

Digory walked over to Polly and sat down next to her; he pulled out a bunch of flowers from his back and presented them to her. Polly looked away and quietly said, "Go away."

Digory sucked the air with his cheeks and said, "It's no use ignoring me you know, besides, you'll forgive me." Polly glared at him. He said, "What if I said that these flowers were from that fellow George? Then would you accept them?"

Polly blew her hair out of her face and continued to glare ahead. A bell suddenly rang through the house and Polly quickly got up and brushed her dress off and ran inside.

Digory sat there, waiting.

Polly came out all groomed and she had changed into a clean and nice tea dress and she pulled on a large, floppy hat. Digory followed her through the gate; she ignored him and stood on the cobblestones of the street.

A clip clop of horses stomping on the street and a cab being pulled made its way to Polly. A portly and short, stout boy about the age of 20, jumped out. He had reddish hair lined on his scalp and had an incredibly red and ruddy face, and a large nose, he wore a black coat and a top hat and a white vest with a gold chain connecting his cloak, and he wore black trousers with very shiny black shoes.

He stumbled a bit and ran over to Polly looking like a large and ridiculous penguin. He tapped his black cane on the side of the coach as he ran and finally, he stopped at Polly and panted with his head bowed, he took Polly's hand and kissed it. Digory saw Polly sneak her hand behind her back and wipe it. The ruddy boy said to Polly, with his red face, "Ah, hello my dear, let's go. The coach is waiting and or dinner ball will be set soon!" Polly smiled and let him take her hands into his chubby and damp fingers and was led to the coach, Digory called out, "Polly! I'm sorry! Just think about it."

Polly looked back and the boy stopped and turned to look at Digory. He looked him up and down, Digory certainly wasn't the build of money like he was, but he was handsome and tall and the fat boy had no idea who he was. He glared greedily at Digory to Polly and said rudely, "A-who are you?" Digory looked down and stepped back a bit and fumbled with his fingers and muttered, "No one, just leave."

Polly pulled on the boy's arms and hurriedly said, "Come on, the dinner must be waiting for you." The boy pulled away and walked up to Digory, who was inching away with his eyes on his shoes. He was still wearing his cricket outfit but without the pads and his hair was messy since nobody tended to it. The boy said, "Speak up lad, don't you dare disrespect Earnest Green!" He swung his golden chain and pocketwatch around, letting it glint from the light. Digory said, "I think I'll go now, who I am is none of your business, I'm just a friend of Polly's you wouldn't care, I'll just be going now." The boy whacked Digory around the legs rather painfully with his heavy, polished cane. Digory jumped a little and stepped away from him.

Earnest smirked and walked away and yanked Polly by the arm. He airily said, "Slags, this whole lot! You can be mine little one. Tonight, you'll be a real slag, you won't need anyone else and you'll do only as I say! You must be mine and only obey me." Polly just solemnly marched with her thin arm being groped by this slobbering jerk.

He snaked his arm around Polly and said 'Come now lets go, we'll have a REAL gala affair tonight." He said secretively. Polly bit her lip and kept walking, Digory watched as they loaded the cab and pulled away. He looked down and clenched his fist, he wanted to protect Polly but he couldn't Polly didn't want him to. Digory swung around and ran to the stables of the house next door; he mounted on a large horse and raced after the black cab. They finally came to a stop outside of a large manor and they went inside, Digory raced the horse to the manor and unloaded, he ran up the steps and pushed his way inside, everything was busy, the place was smoky and crowded and lots of red-faced men in expensive clothing were laughing and some had their arms around young, and pretty women.

Digory pushed his way through all the crowd of people that were of the finest houses. He barged into a room where only a few people rested, in a corner, he saw Earnest with Polly, they were sitting in a chair and Earnest had a nasty look on his face, Digory marched to him, Earnest hadn't noticed since he was too busy making Polly uncomfortable.

Digory grabbed the chubby man's arms and threw him to the ground. Polly looked up in horror. Earnest stood up and swung his cane with full force at Digory, the heavy club bit him on the side of his face, and Digory staggered back. Blood streamed to his ear, and Polly covered her mouth. Digory packed a hard punch into Earnest's red face and squashed his nose, earnest fell onto the floor and didn't get up. Digory hugged Polly close to him and made his way out with her protected by his arms. She hugged him close, suddenly, a loud crack filled the air, Earnest had gotten up and brought the cane down heavily on Digory's back, he kept beating Digory, who had Polly safe and encased in his chest and arms. Digory grabbed the cane and took it back, he beat Earnest with his own cane and finally broke it in half, and he kicked Earnest hard and pulled Polly away from the manor. Digory hailed a cab and they rode to their home together.

In Polly's room, Polly nursed to the bruises and slashes on Digory's back. She blushed when he took his shirt off and pulled his socks down. Polly rubbed some ointment on his back and tended to the blows on his chest, finally, she got to his legs, where earnest had whacked him at. She stepped back to look at her friend. She looked away when she couldn't stop blushing when she looked at his naked chest and arms. He pulled his socks on and his shoes and jumped out the window with difficulty; she leaned out the window and saw him sprinting across the yard. She changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed, she realized that Digory had left his shirt on her bed; it was white and a button up. She held it close and inhaled the scent of Digory.

The next morning, Polly's mother walked in to find Polly asleep with a man's white shirt. She shook Polly awake. Polly yawned and said, "What mother?" She said, "Polly, I heard all about what happened last night, I do not want you to see that Kirke boy again. Polly rubbed her eyes. Her mother brought out a bouquet and said, "These are from George, he had them sent this morning, but I will forbid you to see him for now until you get your act up.

She picked the shirt up, "Polly, what is this?" She gasped, "You've been sleeping with the Kirke boy haven't you!" Polly glared at her mother and said, "No, mum, I haven't, go away, I want to sleep." Polly's mom left.

Digory knocked o the door, Polly's mother answered it and immediately looked cross. Digory smiled charmingly and said, "Hullo, I suppose you know why I'm here, May I speak to Polly please?"

She yelled, "You have some nerve!" She slammed the door in his face.

Susan sighed sorrowfully and Lucy smiled, enchanted. Edmund had gotten excited; hearing old stories about the fight and Peter had an understanding look on his face.

"So what happened next? You never got to see her again, huh?" Edmund asked.

Digory smiled and said, "No, it doesn't end that soon. But I think for the day it shall, you children go to bed now after you eat your dinner."

Lucy pouted, wanting more of the story, but she reluctantly followed her siblings to the dining room.

Digory leaned back in his chair and took a deep sip from his pipe and let some smoke dribble out of his mouth as he murmured something.

Edmund fenced his spoon with his brother's fork, they lunged at each other, but Peter was quick to parry the attack from Edmund with his fork. The two utensils made a "clank", noise when they collided with each other. It reminded them of their battles in Narnia, and they liked to practice sometimes with bits of metals, their sword fencing had not been used for a while. Edmund said, "I fancied being the king, I miss our thrones and our swords, not to mention the great cross bows they kept in the chambers!"

Susan rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, boys with their weapons and swords! Get a grip fellows, Narnia was just a play thing, why, I quite enjoyed pretending it too, but please! Must we still play it? Peter, you're old enough to stop these silly little games with the little ones, they need a grip on reality, and you don't want them to grow up like this, do you now?"

Peter rolled his eyes, this subject had come up too often and he decided it was no use to object to Susan's arguments. Edmund narrowed his eyes and grabbed his spoon; he loaded it with a cannonball or a pea, and catapulted it over to hit the center of his sister's eyes. She blinked and grabbed the pea and calmly rolled it back to him. He reloaded it and with such precision and aim, like the Narnian soldiers had done and released it, this time, it landed in his sister's soup. She huffed and rose from her seat, "Oh, never mind you! I'm going to bed! Come on Lucy."

Lucy followed and left the room. Edmund turned onto his stomach on the floor and made a little battle field with his food on his plate. Peter spooned his mush and said, "Edmund, stop playing with your food and get back up here."

Edmund said, "I wish I were like Professor Kirke when he was younger. So noble and brave, why, he was bold enough to start a fight and win in the middle of a public place!"

Peter snorted into his mush and ignored his brother.

A.N: REVIEW please!