(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

*A muffled curse sounds from the direction of the closet, and a few moments later Nymphadora emerges, wearing a pear of cropped knit pants, a tank top, and a mournful expression.

She's holding her favourite jeans in her hand.*

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

...You know?

*Propping herself up on one elbow, she looks down at him, eyebrows raised.*

And when, exactly, were you planning to tell this to me?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I--

*He clears his throat, willing his voice not to break.*

I wanted to--

Tim told me, after you went to bed. Saturday night.

[clumsy_auror]

Bernard, this is -- this is my job. That's crucial information.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and I was going to tell you, maybe even today, I dunno, but--

*He looks miserable.*

[clumsy_auror]

*She flops back down on the bed, sighing.*

Why on earth wouldn't you have told me? It's done, it's over, the important thing now is finding out how they got them, and how they learned to use them.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I know how. I know exactly how.

[clumsy_auror]

*She looks over at him again, eyebrows raised, expectant.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

When Malfoy was here in January, Tim betrayed us.

He gave him the idea, gave him, like a fucking book or something, and encouraged him to use the information.

[clumsy_auror]

*she blinks*





But Tim came after me and Bill.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Apparently he's less evil now.

[clumsy_auror]

*Her face twists, and she struggles to keep her voice from cracking. Tim has so much power in the bar-- access to her family and friends, Bernard trusted him, she trusted him--*

I don't-- I don't understand.

Why? What did we ever do to him?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Nothing.

*Bernard's face is a mask of rage.*

He was maybe the most trusted employee I have ever had, practically part of the family, and he did it because he felt like it.

Because he enjoyed chaos.

[clumsy_auror]

*She falls back onto the bed, eyes wide, mouth open in mute astonishment.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

So, yeah.

That's why I didn't tell you.

I didn't know how.

[clumsy_auror]

*Her face sets, finally.*

Right. Well.

I'll owl the Ministry. Let them know.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

You do that.

I've got the letter Malfoy sent me. With your ring. He signed it.

You should send that, too.

[clumsy_auror]

The stupid fucker.

I will.

*But instead of getting up right away, she rolls over and slides her arm around his waist, clinging, and buries her face in his shoulder.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He's trembling, a little, from rage and adrenaline.*

And the thing that fucking kills me is that the whole time we were planning to get you, the whole fucking six months that you were coming home late and exhausted and gutted from what was happening out there, he knew.

He knew you were pregnant, he knew Bill was there too, and he didn't say a word.

[clumsy_auror]

*And it angers her, too, her stomach clenching at the thought of everything Tim must have seen and heard, but she smooths her hand over his chest, forcing calm into her voice.*

You have to let that go, Bernard.

We'll deal with it. But it's in the past, now.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Let it go?

*His voice is shaky, now, his eyes bright.*

When they found you, Malfoy had a gun to your head and another aimed at your heart.

How am I supposed to let that go?

[clumsy_auror]

*Her voice shakes a little now, too.*

Because I'm fine and it'll only eat you up, if you dwell on it. We'll deal with Malfoy, there's no question of that. Don't give him the satisfaction of knowing he did this to you.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I hadn't planned on letting him know anything of the sort, but if I can't be angry here, with you, where the fuck can I be?

Because it's filling me up.

Bill Weasley had to fucking stop me from breaking the rules Saturday night, and I would have.

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora looks at him for a long moment, and then looks away. She speaks quietly.*

Fine.

I just need you to be okay.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I can't be okay all the time.

Not when it's something like this.

[clumsy_auror]

I know.

I'm sorry.

*she puts her hands over her eyes*

Don't know what to think.