dressrobes | (no subject)

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Character: Matthew Williams
Mun: Ari
Plot specific: Sort of, but you are welcome to create a separate thread with me if you'd like.

[ There was something deeply unsettling about his current situation in that Matthew was positive that he had been in a similar one to it years and years before.

He was in (a) a shady pub in Hogsmeade (b) waiting to have a drink with his brother. (c) Who was, as expected, pretty damn late. How many nostalgia points did that earn him? Probably a lot.

( Matthew wasn't sure whether to be happy about the familiarity of the situation or irritated that nothing has changed in the last decade. )

Oh well, at least he was perfectly entitled to be there and more importantly, not entirely sober. ]

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[In due time, Alfred sauntered into the Hog's Head as well, sidling up to the bar and calling out to the bartender for a pint of the house brew. He pulled up a stool beside his brother, slapping him familiarly on the back as he sat himself down.]

How's it going, stranger?

[ God, Alfred has such a heavy bloody hand -- Matthew only barely manages not to choke on his drink, but turns and grins at his brother all the same. ]

Excuse me, but that's Professor Stranger to you, Alfred.

Yeah yeah, congrats, bro. [He takes his drink from the bartender and takes a swig of it.] You're gonna have tons of fun wrangling brats all day. Cheers.

Well I've lots of practice with that sort of work, trust me.

[ Have a friendly ~~Canadian~~ elbow to the side. ]

Well don't let your guard down. It's not as cushy as auroring.

Ten times as dangerous, eh?

[ Matthew sets the rim of his drink against his grin, but pauses before he drinks from it. Ah. The notion hits him again: the fact that he had been an Auror for a third of his current lifetime and suddenly he was about to teach school children.

Shit. ]

Better keep your wits about you. Any sign of weakness and they'll eat you alive. [Alfred grinned back and took another sip of his drink. It was a pretty familiar feeling.] At least yours are old enough to stand a little smacking around when they need it.

I was under the assumption your little princess was never in need of a smacking. Should have known she'd have your appetite.

[ Quickly, before Alfred registers what he said and hits him- ] How is she?

[Good save, bro. As much as he loves hitting you, he loves talking about his daughter even more.]

She's perfect. Still not too keen on the walking thing, but she sure is a chatterbox, especially since I started bein' home. Starting to do a little magic, too. I've gotta put sticking charms on the little stuff in case she decides she wants it. I figure she's just not got any reason to wanna go anywhere yet.

[ Just as planned. Matthew loves hearing about his favorite niece as much as he loves not being hit! ]

Perhaps she'll take a leaf from your book and fly 'fore she gets a hang of that walking business. You'll have to take extra care then, mate.

I wouldn't be surprised. With her genes? Only way to do it.

Perhaps if this lecturing teenagers thing fails to pan out, I can teach Steph instead.

[ Merlin please let this work out. ]

What, you think I'm gonna let a Hogwarts reject teach my girl?

Excuse you! Don't think of it as failure, Al. Think of it as ah... on the job training, eh?

Forget it, Matt. I only want the best.

Oui, oui. Only the best for the American.

Glad you finally appreciate it.

( Maybe this situation wasn't as familiar to Antonio, but it was a much needed little reprieve for his day. Why he thought sliding back into teaching after this many years would've been as easy as riding a broom again was beyond him. He definitely didn't remember this much paperwork and homework grading, but... ah well. A little relaxation would be good. Especially with the newfound stresses of the past ten years finally catching up on him.

He doesn't even notice Matthew as he slides in to sit at the bar, asking for a glass of sherry. He starts sipping it once it comes, looking to his side, staring curiously at the blond man next to him. Wait, why was he so familiar-

Duh.

Excuse him while he nearly chokes on his sherry for a moment. ) W-Williams?!

Edited 2012-01-12 03:31 (UTC)

[ A tad startled, Matthew turns his head and --

nearly coats Antonio in a fine spray of firewhiskey.

UH GIVE HIM A MOMENT TO COUGH AND STUFF.

The Ministry gave him a heads up -- of course they would, he was the one who hunted the man for so long -- but it was still startling!! ]

( Honestly, the spray of firewhiskey would've been expected, especially after nearly dying on this own glass of sherry. They are both so classy. )

It's uh... It's been a while! ( Nervous smile is go! ) Not since... well.

Edited (wtf is the subject line doing) 2012-01-12 03:44 (UTC)

[ The epitome of class, even. Matthew returns the smile, just as shaky. Oh no, his eyes even watered. ]

Yes. Since, well -- ah. Since that whole.... situation that has been completely sorted out, yes. [ Time to handle this maturely by taking a large gulp of his drink. ] So... Hogwarts, eh?

( It's alright, Antonio's eyes are watered from the burn of sherry all down his throat, too. They can look like... nervously tearfully happy old... friends. Or something. Yes. )

Yes! Th... that! At least it'll be a little while until we're in a forest again, huh? ( He sips his drink himself. So much awkward. ) Ah! Yes. Dumbledore offered me my old job. Not... not much else was hiring. ( In other words, lots of doors slammed in his face. )

[ Reunited and it FEELS SO GOOD -- oh jeeze, Antonio, what an awkward thing to say. ]

I - I suppose so. Dumbledore wouldn't... well, he wouldn't hire anyone who isn't worthy of the position. [ Matthew offers an encouraging smile, then averts his gaze to his drink. ] Did you know that he ah -- that he's hired me as well?

( Shhh, he's trying to make it less awkward, okay, gosh. )

( Matthew gets a bit of an honest smile at that, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he grins in return. ) Ah, I guess that's true, isn't it? ( Which was really nice to think about. The second statement gives him a bit of a start though, looking at him with curious eyes. ) Really now? What are you teaching?

Sorry. [ Wait, what's he apologizing for UHH TIME TO FAKE A COUGH, yes there we go, how smooth. ] Pardon, I meant to say the Defense of the Dark Arts.

It's erm... it's the subject most related to what I've been doing for so long, as you can... imagine.

[ Or you can confirm from experience, either one, nbd, nbd. ]

Haha, that would be! ( Yes, yes he definitely can confirm that, whoops. ) Looks like we're going to be coworkers! ( Oh lord, how awkward. At least this past year has been better, huh. )

[ Matthew can't help it, what with the liquor and the absurdity of the situation; he lets loose a low laugh. ]

Have you any pointers for me, Antonio? You are a veteran at this profession, after all.

[ Then he orders another, stronger drink. ]

( Well, that gets him to nearly choke on sherry for a second time. You want him to die, gurgling on cheap liquor, don't you. )

Ay, I don't think what I know should be taught to any children, don't you think?

( Yes, make that two, please. )

[ OH NO THAT's NOT WHAT HE MEANT ahhh flailing and rambling COMMENCE ]

Oh no no! I'm sorry, but that is not what I intended to imply! I - I was referring to -- to the creatures, you see, and well I did enjoy your class when I was your student all those years ago, you know, with the puffskins and such, I. So I.

I would never allow you to ever --

Dumbledore would never allow you to --

[ Thankfully the bartender interrupts Matthew's train of thought by shoving a mug in his hands, and Matthew accepts it graciously, downing it like a man in the desert. ]

( Antonio just watches him, half amused and half feeling a strong tickle of annoyance. Oh well, their talks had always been like walking around landmines, this was nothing new. He sips at his new drink as well, glad for the burn of alcohol down his throat and the beginnings of the numbing thud it brought. He gives Matthew a wry sort of smile, sighing. Gosh, his life, so hard. )

I know, I know. I wouldn't be here if you hadn't vouched for me, anyway.

And I don't regret that I did. Please take care to remember that, Fernández. I'd much rather help save a man than persecute him...

[ Oh Matthew, just look at the sight of you. Red in the face and everything. ]

T-that's all in the past now anyway, eh? No war. No You-Know-Who. W-we're at a fresh start.

I do. I probably wouldn't even be alive without your help, Williams. ( The tinge on Antonio's face is mostly from the liquor, but he's being honest. Without that year in hiding with Lovino and Emmeline, he'd still be a wreck - and most likely dead. Those trials would've been a lot harder too without Matthew's help, after all.

He gives Matthew a warm smile, trying to diffuse a little of the awkward tension. ) Yes! We... we should try to work this out a little better, huh? Especially with us being coworkers and everything now. ( Another sip of cheap alcohol. ) Anything new with you? Got a wife yet? ( Perhaps he'll dare to nudge Matthew playfully in the arm. Yes. Maybe. )

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annoyingly makes a separate thread with you

HAY GURL

HAY TO YOU YOURSELF /breathes heavily all over you ALSO IS MATTHEW STILL THE ONE THAT HELPED TOÑO

YESSIR

awesome beyond awesome /continues to breathe heavily on you I HAVE MISSED YOUR CANADA

I MISSED YOUR SPAIN sorry my canada is rusty UuU

IT IS QUITE ALRIGHT UuU he sounds perfect to me

wehh

weeeeeehhh your beautiful face

>3<

=3=/

oops

/pats

3rd time's the charm

yes