Author's Note: Written for…
Daily Weird Prompt Challenge. Prompt: suit of armor
Moving
He'd forgotten how chilly the school could be at night. It had been over twenty-five years since he slept in the dungeons and therefore, he realized a little belatedly, terribly out of practice in casting warming charms.
"Not here five hours and already setting fires?" Avery joked, helping to air out the chambers while Tom put out what was left of the flames.
"I wouldn't have had to if Dumbledore hadn't given me the worst chambers," Tom growled. Avery chuckled, dropping into one of the hard chairs that were provided with the new living quarters.
"Aren't these the same rooms the Defense professor had in our day? The same rooms they always give to the Defense professors?"
"Yes. And your point is?"
"That Dumbledore isn't being as cruel as you think. Honestly I think you're bloody lucky he's giving you a second chance."
Tom grimaced, turning his back on his last … only supporter. It was difficult enough admitting that it was all over. Thirty years of work all down the drain in a single day. One conveniently unsigned letter to the Minister of Magic and his residence of the last four years was now under surveillance and anyone who had dared to take orders from in awaiting sentencing.
"Temperature charms are in place, sir," Jemma announced, marching into the great room from what had become the new nursery. "And the children are napping."
"Great. Your home is smoky and full of old junk, but at least you'll be cozy," Avery said.
"Don't make me hex you."
"You're slipping, you know. You used to threaten with curses; unforgivables. Those girls are softening you."
"Avery-"
"I didn't say it was a bad thing." Avery smiled, coming to stand by his friend. "Now, what do you say we make this place a bit more … livable? We could start with getting rid of that guy." He nodded to the suit of armor standing by the fireplace. "I know how they always creeped you out."
"They did not. I simply think they're a waste of space," Tom huffed. He moved closer to examine the suit, finding it dusty and covered in scratches and dents. "Help me move it outside. The caretaker can deal with it after that."
Avery obliged, holding one side of the suit and helping to glide it gently across the stone floor. In their haste, neither man thought of the rug between them and the door. The suit caught on the corner, toppling over before they could stop it and separating into over twenty pieces.
Tom dropped into a chair, holding his head in his hands while Avery laughed. "Can nothing go right?"
"Shall I get rid of the mess, sir?" Jemma asked hesitantly.
"Please do."