(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

They've cleaned up from supper, and Sunny's in bed; Bernard is on his third story of the evening, trying to get her to wind down enough to sleep.

Nymphadora, on the other hand, is stretched out on the couch, her feet propped up, and a mug of tea at hand.

She's ostensibly reading, but mostly she's just thinking.

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

"Hmmm." She's smiling, and it's audible in her voice. "Somehow I don't think that quite fits into my stylistic repertoire."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"No, but I'd have a lot of fun burning it on a pyre."

[clumsy_auror]

"There you go. Fun for the whole family. Sunny would've learned lots of new words."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I think she knows enough already."

[clumsy_auror]

She's laughing again. "She keeps a mental list -- have you noticed?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"I can see her sifting through it, looking for the worst possible combinations."

[clumsy_auror]

"She listens to us and then mutters the new word under her breath again, to make sure she knows it. You can almost see her filing it away for future use." Nymphadora's tone is filled with pride. "She's so clever."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"'Course she is." He pulls her closer, grinning. "She's ours."

[clumsy_auror]

"Well, yes. But I don't reckon we can take credit for all of her smarts."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"No. And if I ever figure out who the fuck spelled her to be able to read..."

[clumsy_auror]

"I know. I cannot figure that one out, for the life of me."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Can't have been Anthy." His grin fades. "She'd have said."

[clumsy_auror]

So does hers. "Yes, she would've."

Nymphadora goes quiet, waiting.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

She waits a long time. He lies there, just thinking and breathing and holding her close.





"Gonna have to talk to her."

[clumsy_auror]

Softly, "Think that'd be good."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

A long sigh.

"Gonna talk to Simon, too. Find out what happened."

[clumsy_auror]

She nods, and after another moment, half-turns to look at him; her belly's too large, now, for them to lie face-to-face on the couch.

Just... looking.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard looks back, no trace of a smile left on his face.

[clumsy_auror]

"It'll be okay."

Nymphadora reaches over, her thumb stroking lightly over his cheekbone.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His eyes slip closed, and his hand comes up to cover hers.

"I know. I just don't know what to think. Of my behavior and hers."

[clumsy_auror]

"Well." A tiny sigh. "What you and she have done in the past... neither of you can change that, now. You'll just have to start fresh, from now."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

A slow nod.


"...She never used to be scared of me."

[clumsy_auror]

"I know. And that..." Nymphadora pauses, choosing her words carefully. "She's just like a bunch of others in the bar, now. With that fear, you hold a lot of power over her."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His eyes are still closed.

"Had to. After what she did."

Keep telling yourself that.

[clumsy_auror]

"Might be time to let that go."