Written for the Heroes Hunt (quote below)
"No rest for the weary."
-proverb
"Need a drink?" Rosmerta asks, already preparing his glass.
Kingsley shakes his head, his eyes heavy as he looks up her. Rosmerta frowns. Kingsley isn't exactly a young man, the past week following the war has left its mark visibly on his face. The bags under his eyes are noticeable, and lines begin creasing his skin. "Not tonight, Rosmerta," he says, indicating the papers before him. "I just needed a quiet place to work."
Rosmerta sits across from him, leaning over and taking his hand. "You're allowed to rest, Kingsley," she says softly. "If anyone has earned that right, it's you."
He shakes his head and returns his attention back to the papers. Lists, photographs, underlined dates, and more names than Rosmerta wants to count. "I have four funerals to attend. And that's just tomorrow," he says. "As Minister, I'm obligated to sit in at the trials of some whose allegiance is a bit murky. I have speeches to make, places to be, people to comfort, interviews to attend. There's no time for rest. Not for me."
Rosmerta looks up and examines her pub quickly. The last of her patrons have retired for the night, and there's no signs of any new business. She waves her wand and mutters a spell, locking up the shop. If anyone decides they want a drink this late, Aberforth will have to help them. "What do you need me to do?" she asks. "The pub is closed, and I am yours."
Kingsley's lips quirk into an almost smile. "That's not the first time you've told me that," he teases.
Rosmerta smirks and leans in dangerously close. When Kingsley mimics her, moving in, she pulls away with a grin. "Get whatever you can done tonight," she says. "Give me something to do. And when we've finished, we are retiring to my bed to rest for the night."
"Really, Rosmerta, I'll just take a quick nap between appearances, and-"
"We will rest," she says firmly, and there's a thrill of excitement knowing that she can boss around the new Minister.
Kingsley sighs. "I can never say no to you."