The air was thick with the many scents of the many pipes of the many witches and wizards who patroned the tavern. The Leaky Cauldron, only the most well known pub in London, or at least in certain circles. Justin was sure there must be other, more obscure, inns to have his drink, only he didn't know where they were. He'd been living in the bustling wizarding community hidden under Lodon's nose for a few months now but hadn't gotten much exposure to be sure. He had this gnawing fear every time he tried to take an alleyway, as though he weren't supposed to be there. Abnorm Alley just happened to be wide enough and short enough that he could see the whole of it from the intersection, more of a cul-de-sac really.
So there he was, sitting in one of the most widely trafficked businesses on Diagon, mostly for its purpose as a portal, trying to keep out of the way and have his own bit of peace and Butterbeer. But of course, it's just when one wants a bit of peace that it becomes utterly scarce.
For the umpteenth time, the door to the pub swung open to allow the passage of new witches and wizards, and with them came the wild winds and chill of the blizzard without. Justin covered his now nearly luke warm Butterbeer to try and preserve what heat was left. When the tumult had died down he lazily lifted it to his lips, it really was a shame he hadn't found a better place to have his drink, but there was no way he was going looking in this storm.
"You know it's impolite to stare." Came the voice that he could now place as Pansy's. He turned in time to see her whisk off her new Ministry issue cloak and plop down on a stool beside him. She wore what he'd come to term as 'street clothes', that apparel suitable for both muggle society and relaxation in the wizarding community. Her silver silk blouse clung close to obviously chill breasts in a way that made it hard to take her greeting in earnest. But she was referring to their training session earlier in the day. "Might like to keep your attention on your own work in the future."
She turned to the barkeep and ordered a hot Honeywine. "Very proper spells you cast today Finch-Fletchley. Terrifying truly. I'd hate to run 'cross you in a dark alley"
He could see a smug grin on her face as she received her drink and took a careful sip. Justin scowled; he'd had a full day of being put down for his non-violent approach to Auring. It was awfully mean-spirited of her to come in and disturb him with more of it and his retort started before he much gave it any consideration. "I suppose we aren't all vicious ki…"
His face reddened as he realized what he'd been about to say. How could he call Pansy a killer, despite what he'd watched her do to a would-be victim? Still releasing the heat of his blush, Justin glared at his drink and left the rest hang in the air. He really didn't feel apt to apologize, although he realized he ought to. She set her drink down with an audible thump and turned to face him straight away. "Something you wanna say to me Finch-Fletchley? Think you're so much better than the rest of us, do you? Just you wait. It's not all daisies and lollipops out there. As soon as we're all working on each other you'll find out! Your not in Hogwarts anymore, there's no Dumbeldore to protect you."
Justin's shoulders drooped as he turned to face her onslaught with a frown. She was fuming, anger consuming her fine features as she glared as him. Her chest rose and fell with the deep breaths she was forced to take from her outburst. This was all too much. Why had she come out of nowhere like this to attack him. Thrice in two the two days they'd spoken. Hadn't he escaped this when he'd graduated? "You don't seem to understand, Pansy, that I don't feel you've got to torture and kill anyone who makes a mistake. They're still people after all."
He knew he was probably reasoning against the unreasonable. He'd been trying all day and no one was getting it. Truthfully, although his gut vehemently fought the notion, he was beginning to wonder if they were all right and he was the one who was mistaken. She raised her hands in a strangulation sort of manner, they were shaking, and her mouth opened long before she could get anything to come out of it. "How daft can you be? They're /not/ still people, don't you get that? They're Death Eater's, they're in-human. Do you really think that once you've cast a few simple spells on them you'll have won? Do you think they'll let it end at that? You don't understand them, Justin. You've got to have been living in a hole for the last year to not get it."
Her hands had migrated to her hips and her expression was wild with emotion. He certainly did feel as though he were living in a hole for, well the last six months at least. He was out of touch, that much was true. But core values were core values, no matter what the current events were. "Listen Pansy. I'm going to deal with what comes in my own way. You can have your pain and torture, but I don't want any part of it. How can we say we're any better than them if we do?"
Her face was still flush as she stared him down. He wasn't sure if she was considering what he'd said or preparing herself for another onslaught. She slowly turned back to the bar and picked up her drink, taking a sip of the warm sweet wine. Justin, figuring the argument for over, ordered himself another Butterbeer. As much as he'd like to simply leave, he wasn't done drinking for the night and had no where else to go for it. Her quiet response a few moments later caught him off guard. "I suppose we'll see once we begin to duel then."
He couldn't help feeling she was trying to be smug, but her voice belied none of that. She hadn't looked up to address him, still sipping at her Honeywine and staring into the mirror behind the bar. He glanced up to see the Justin and Pansy in it pleading with each other in consternation. Grabbing his beer and leaning against the bar to face her he steeled himself for rejection or insult. "Pansy, do you mind if I ask why you joined up?"
She finished her sip and looked over at him, answering in an almost cautious way. "And if I do?"
"Then you aughtn't anwere, eh?" He replied with a measure of resignation. He was only trying his best to get along with a girl that no one would ever expect him to do so with. They were stuck together, at least to some degree, and it was best that co-workers, particularly in their future line of work, could communicate effectively and honestly. "I'm only trying to make conversation right? You've come and joined /me/, not the other way 'round."
Pansy pressed her, he couldn't help noticing, full lips together as her eyes wandered down to her drink for a moment. After a slow blink she replied, "I don't think I shall. At any rate, I thought perhaps you'd be cordial enough to bide my time with for an evening. Perhaps I was wrong."
"Oh good grief, Pansy." Justin replied in exasperation. She had to have the last word didn't she? "Got to paint the world black, have you? Perhaps opening a conversation with sarcasm and insults isn't the best way to begin, eh? You've got me in a spot Pansy, really. I'm trying to be a nice fellow and you make it rather a chore."
It'd been an awfully long time since Justin had spoken to anyone like this. He wasn't quick to anger, nor to retorts. Really he always had thought himself forgiving, and not the sort to upset people in the first place. Of course, he'd done nothing to provoke Harry and that snake way back when. Only, he'd found out that was just a misunderstanding. That didn't remove his phobia of snakes, but it had at least put him and Harry on speaking terms again. And he'd been younger and far more immature back then. The only other namely rudeness he could account for was when he and Hannah had broken off their two year relationship just before Holiday last year. That had really been very ugly. He was still bitter over her affair with Ernie, even if the two had managed to stay together since then. It seemed an odd bit of cruelty that life was playing on him. The only girl he'd cared for running off with his best friend, and them making it work. It'd hurt so bad at the time he thought he'd shrivel up and die, and he'd certainly said a lot of horrible things.
"Don't be crass Finch-Fletchley, I accept your apology." Justin was struck dumb in bewilderment. Had he apologized for anything? "Look we'll need to get along if we don't want to kill each other later on right? Are you hungry at all?"
Justin was still speechless as Pansy ordered a plat of appetizers for the two. Hadn't he just said something to that effect? No he'd only thought it. Top marks for mind reading go to the Slytherin. What would his classmates say to that, cocktails with a Slytherin?
"Are you staying on Diagon or still living with the muggle 'rents?" She continued on blithely with a twinkle in her eye, as though no love had been lost between them. She was teasing of course, he knew. They were only eighteen after all; it wouldn't be such a crime to live with one's parents. But he still felt the pinch of guilt at living /off/ of them when he didn't think it was right and proper in his situation.
"I've got a flat on Abnorm Alley. Small, but it suits me alright." He was trying to convince himself to relax, but couldn't get over the feeling she'd throw something at him the moment he did. "What about you?
"Mmm, I'm staying at an Inn on the outside for a bit. I just sold my place, looking for a new one." She said through a bite of crab-cake. Justin wondered at 'on the outside', did she mean on the muggle side of the community? He'd never have taken Pansy for the type, but then he'd never have pegged her for an Auror either. "Know of anything? Don't seem to have anything cheap on Diagon do they?"
Idle chit chat, they bantered away in a stiff and reserved sort of 'how's the weather' way for an hour and a half or so. It had finally grown late enough that Justin felt comfortable going home to his empty apartment, and suitably buzzed enough to keep warm on the way. The two parted on amicable enough terms, bidding to see each other the next morning at work. It was strange and exciting to call what they were into 'work' and in the end the evening with Pansy had come out alright. She'd turned into what could be the semblance of a real person at least. Although he couldn't be sure, he thought he'd caught a few more insults thrown his way in the course of their conversation. Ah well, he decided it would have to do as he climbed into his pajamas and collapsed into bed.
So there he was, sitting in one of the most widely trafficked businesses on Diagon, mostly for its purpose as a portal, trying to keep out of the way and have his own bit of peace and Butterbeer. But of course, it's just when one wants a bit of peace that it becomes utterly scarce.
For the umpteenth time, the door to the pub swung open to allow the passage of new witches and wizards, and with them came the wild winds and chill of the blizzard without. Justin covered his now nearly luke warm Butterbeer to try and preserve what heat was left. When the tumult had died down he lazily lifted it to his lips, it really was a shame he hadn't found a better place to have his drink, but there was no way he was going looking in this storm.
"You know it's impolite to stare." Came the voice that he could now place as Pansy's. He turned in time to see her whisk off her new Ministry issue cloak and plop down on a stool beside him. She wore what he'd come to term as 'street clothes', that apparel suitable for both muggle society and relaxation in the wizarding community. Her silver silk blouse clung close to obviously chill breasts in a way that made it hard to take her greeting in earnest. But she was referring to their training session earlier in the day. "Might like to keep your attention on your own work in the future."
She turned to the barkeep and ordered a hot Honeywine. "Very proper spells you cast today Finch-Fletchley. Terrifying truly. I'd hate to run 'cross you in a dark alley"
He could see a smug grin on her face as she received her drink and took a careful sip. Justin scowled; he'd had a full day of being put down for his non-violent approach to Auring. It was awfully mean-spirited of her to come in and disturb him with more of it and his retort started before he much gave it any consideration. "I suppose we aren't all vicious ki…"
His face reddened as he realized what he'd been about to say. How could he call Pansy a killer, despite what he'd watched her do to a would-be victim? Still releasing the heat of his blush, Justin glared at his drink and left the rest hang in the air. He really didn't feel apt to apologize, although he realized he ought to. She set her drink down with an audible thump and turned to face him straight away. "Something you wanna say to me Finch-Fletchley? Think you're so much better than the rest of us, do you? Just you wait. It's not all daisies and lollipops out there. As soon as we're all working on each other you'll find out! Your not in Hogwarts anymore, there's no Dumbeldore to protect you."
Justin's shoulders drooped as he turned to face her onslaught with a frown. She was fuming, anger consuming her fine features as she glared as him. Her chest rose and fell with the deep breaths she was forced to take from her outburst. This was all too much. Why had she come out of nowhere like this to attack him. Thrice in two the two days they'd spoken. Hadn't he escaped this when he'd graduated? "You don't seem to understand, Pansy, that I don't feel you've got to torture and kill anyone who makes a mistake. They're still people after all."
He knew he was probably reasoning against the unreasonable. He'd been trying all day and no one was getting it. Truthfully, although his gut vehemently fought the notion, he was beginning to wonder if they were all right and he was the one who was mistaken. She raised her hands in a strangulation sort of manner, they were shaking, and her mouth opened long before she could get anything to come out of it. "How daft can you be? They're /not/ still people, don't you get that? They're Death Eater's, they're in-human. Do you really think that once you've cast a few simple spells on them you'll have won? Do you think they'll let it end at that? You don't understand them, Justin. You've got to have been living in a hole for the last year to not get it."
Her hands had migrated to her hips and her expression was wild with emotion. He certainly did feel as though he were living in a hole for, well the last six months at least. He was out of touch, that much was true. But core values were core values, no matter what the current events were. "Listen Pansy. I'm going to deal with what comes in my own way. You can have your pain and torture, but I don't want any part of it. How can we say we're any better than them if we do?"
Her face was still flush as she stared him down. He wasn't sure if she was considering what he'd said or preparing herself for another onslaught. She slowly turned back to the bar and picked up her drink, taking a sip of the warm sweet wine. Justin, figuring the argument for over, ordered himself another Butterbeer. As much as he'd like to simply leave, he wasn't done drinking for the night and had no where else to go for it. Her quiet response a few moments later caught him off guard. "I suppose we'll see once we begin to duel then."
He couldn't help feeling she was trying to be smug, but her voice belied none of that. She hadn't looked up to address him, still sipping at her Honeywine and staring into the mirror behind the bar. He glanced up to see the Justin and Pansy in it pleading with each other in consternation. Grabbing his beer and leaning against the bar to face her he steeled himself for rejection or insult. "Pansy, do you mind if I ask why you joined up?"
She finished her sip and looked over at him, answering in an almost cautious way. "And if I do?"
"Then you aughtn't anwere, eh?" He replied with a measure of resignation. He was only trying his best to get along with a girl that no one would ever expect him to do so with. They were stuck together, at least to some degree, and it was best that co-workers, particularly in their future line of work, could communicate effectively and honestly. "I'm only trying to make conversation right? You've come and joined /me/, not the other way 'round."
Pansy pressed her, he couldn't help noticing, full lips together as her eyes wandered down to her drink for a moment. After a slow blink she replied, "I don't think I shall. At any rate, I thought perhaps you'd be cordial enough to bide my time with for an evening. Perhaps I was wrong."
"Oh good grief, Pansy." Justin replied in exasperation. She had to have the last word didn't she? "Got to paint the world black, have you? Perhaps opening a conversation with sarcasm and insults isn't the best way to begin, eh? You've got me in a spot Pansy, really. I'm trying to be a nice fellow and you make it rather a chore."
It'd been an awfully long time since Justin had spoken to anyone like this. He wasn't quick to anger, nor to retorts. Really he always had thought himself forgiving, and not the sort to upset people in the first place. Of course, he'd done nothing to provoke Harry and that snake way back when. Only, he'd found out that was just a misunderstanding. That didn't remove his phobia of snakes, but it had at least put him and Harry on speaking terms again. And he'd been younger and far more immature back then. The only other namely rudeness he could account for was when he and Hannah had broken off their two year relationship just before Holiday last year. That had really been very ugly. He was still bitter over her affair with Ernie, even if the two had managed to stay together since then. It seemed an odd bit of cruelty that life was playing on him. The only girl he'd cared for running off with his best friend, and them making it work. It'd hurt so bad at the time he thought he'd shrivel up and die, and he'd certainly said a lot of horrible things.
"Don't be crass Finch-Fletchley, I accept your apology." Justin was struck dumb in bewilderment. Had he apologized for anything? "Look we'll need to get along if we don't want to kill each other later on right? Are you hungry at all?"
Justin was still speechless as Pansy ordered a plat of appetizers for the two. Hadn't he just said something to that effect? No he'd only thought it. Top marks for mind reading go to the Slytherin. What would his classmates say to that, cocktails with a Slytherin?
"Are you staying on Diagon or still living with the muggle 'rents?" She continued on blithely with a twinkle in her eye, as though no love had been lost between them. She was teasing of course, he knew. They were only eighteen after all; it wouldn't be such a crime to live with one's parents. But he still felt the pinch of guilt at living /off/ of them when he didn't think it was right and proper in his situation.
"I've got a flat on Abnorm Alley. Small, but it suits me alright." He was trying to convince himself to relax, but couldn't get over the feeling she'd throw something at him the moment he did. "What about you?
"Mmm, I'm staying at an Inn on the outside for a bit. I just sold my place, looking for a new one." She said through a bite of crab-cake. Justin wondered at 'on the outside', did she mean on the muggle side of the community? He'd never have taken Pansy for the type, but then he'd never have pegged her for an Auror either. "Know of anything? Don't seem to have anything cheap on Diagon do they?"
Idle chit chat, they bantered away in a stiff and reserved sort of 'how's the weather' way for an hour and a half or so. It had finally grown late enough that Justin felt comfortable going home to his empty apartment, and suitably buzzed enough to keep warm on the way. The two parted on amicable enough terms, bidding to see each other the next morning at work. It was strange and exciting to call what they were into 'work' and in the end the evening with Pansy had come out alright. She'd turned into what could be the semblance of a real person at least. Although he couldn't be sure, he thought he'd caught a few more insults thrown his way in the course of their conversation. Ah well, he decided it would have to do as he climbed into his pajamas and collapsed into bed.