The next morning, Nymphadora awakens to find herself face-down on the couch in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. She pushes herself up slowly, one of the throw pillows unsticking itself from her cheek and falling back onto the cushions. At first, she is confused and unsure how she ended up here. She surveys the room, eyeing three empty glasses left abandoned on the kitchen table, and suddenly, memories from the night before come flooding back to her. She brings a hand to her forehead, attempting to massage her pounding headache away.

Realizing that it was Monday, and she needed to get to work, she glances down at her watch warily, jumping and letting out of a surprised yelp when she realizes the time. She was an hour late. Mad-Eye would have her head. She quickly pulls on her combat boots that had been abandoned at the foot of the couch, grabs her wand, and flies up the stairs to the front door, not having the time to change out of the clothes she had worn the day before.

Huffing and puffing, she flies into the Auror Department, desperately wanting to sneak past Alastor's office and head straight to her desk without anyone noticing. Unfortunately, her life wasn't that easy.

"Nymphadora!" Mad-Eye calls. She feels her heart sink into the pit of her stomach as she tries to put on a cheery and put-together attitude before entering her mentor's office.

"Wotcher, Alastor," she replies, sauntering in. He gives her a very stern look before she turns and closes the door behind her.

"Do you care to explain why you're late?"

She takes a moment to consider her options before responding. Does she lie? Does she throw Sirius and Remus under the bus? Does she tell the truth?

"Honestly," she starts, choosing the latter. "I stayed up too late at headquarters and overslept."

He nods, seemingly appreciating her honesty. "With who?"

"Does that matter?"

"Don't answer a question with a question, Nymphadora."

"Remus and Sirius," she mutters, almost incomprehensible. He nods slowly.

"Your first shift is tonight, is it not?"

"Yes sir."

"Go home then," he instructs. "Clean yourself up. Get some rest. You'll need it."

"Respectfully sir," she starts. "I'm fine. I can do my normal duty hours today and head over to my shift after."

"Respectfully Nymphadora," he retorts. "You smell like a pub and haven't changed your clothes from yesterday. Go home."

She sighs, and without another word, slips back out of Alastor's office and heads home. Trying her best to avoid interacting with Jordan, Nymphadora wastes time by grabbing breakfast before heading back to her flat. She times her arrival precisely at 11:25, early enough that Jordan would know she made it home safely, but not have to spend much time with him either.

"Val," he remarks upon her entering. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Mad-Eye surprised us overnight with a training drill," she lies, coming up with it on the spot. "He said we could have the rest of today off. I'm bloody exhausted."

"You look it," he responds, eyeing her with disbelief. "I've gotta run. You need anything?"

"No, Jo," she replies. "I'll see you later."

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Hours later, after having showered and taken a nap, Nymphadora finds herself overthinking her appearance in the mirror. She had about an hour before she had to leave to meet Remus in Chigwell and couldn't decide on a hairstyle and color. She had taken the time to put on makeup and pick out a comfortable yet impressive outfit. Suddenly, the door lock clicks, and Jordan lets himself into the flat.

"Hey Val," he says, throwing his keys on the counter. "Woah. Why do you look so… pretty? Are we going on a date?"

She rolls her eyes, finally deciding to wear her light blue hair up in a bun on the top of her head, pieces falling messily down into her face.

"No, Jo," she replies. "Work."

"Well that reminds me," he says, smiling and walking over to wrap his arms around her. "I have some good news."

She secretly hopes he's decided to try Auror training again. "What is it?"

"I've been promoted," he says, beaming. "I'm now head janitor for the seventh floor."

She sighs, pulling herself from his embrace. "What the fuck, Jordan."

"What?" he says. "I thought you would be happy. I can start helping to pay rent now."

"So, this is all you're planning to do with your life, Jo?" she responds, feeling a dam break inside of her and the emotions she had been feeling for the past weeks come flooding out. "You just want to be a janitor forever?"

"Well obviously not," he replies, looking offended. "It's all I can do for now though."

She hangs her head, taking slow deep breaths in an attempt not to start screaming at him. As she does this, he walks over, turns on the television, and begins playing video games.

"Jordan…" she starts. She looks him dead in the eye with an expressionless face. "I'm done. I'm leaving."

He shakes his head in confusion. "Nymphadora? What?"

"Goodbye, Jo."

She turns, grabs her keys, and flies from the apartment without looking back.

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