(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora is seated at the dining room table, her work spread out in front of her. Her brow is furrowed, rather.

Every once in a while she takes a sip of tea, or doodles idly on the edge of her parchment.

Not really getting a lot done, this one.

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard wanders in with his chemistry text, already reading. He meanders into the kitchen, nose in his book, for a glass of orange juice, and wanders back out, pausing to kiss his wife on the cheek distractedly.

"All right?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Mmm." She clears a space for him to set his book down and pushes out a chair with her foot. "Okay, I guess."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He finally looks up, clear-eyed and blinking, and sits.

"What's wrong?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Just having trouble concentrating." She fiddles with the corner of her half-filled parchment. "How's the reading?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He grins.

"Got some good recipes for pipe bombs." He sees her fiddling and the grin fades a bit.

"Any reason why?"

[clumsy_auror]

Her frown deepens, slightly. "Had a bit of an... odd thing, walking home tonight." She looks almost reluctant to go on.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His eyes narrow. The book lies forgotten on the table, pages slowly flipping closed.

"Oh?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah."

She opens her mouth, closes it, and looks down into her tea.

"Think I was being followed."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

And he's frozen, eyes wide.

[clumsy_auror]

"Oh, no--" And her hand is on his in an instant, reassuring and warm. "No, love, I don't reckon it was a Death Eater. It wasn't-- this bloke wasn't anyone who seemed malicious, you know? More like... curious. There's a difference. I just. I dunno why anyone'd be interested in me."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Funny how he's not really relieved by this.

"Are you sure? Maybe he just seemed curious."

[clumsy_auror]

"Well, no, 'course I can't be sure. I mean, I managed to loose him before I got back home, but -- I don't know. It's just my gut feeling."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He bites his lip, trying to figure it out. "You haven't really been in the papers lately, I don't think."

[clumsy_auror]

A slow shake of her head. "No. Not since June."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

A short laugh. "Somehow, the thought that he just thought you were pretty and decided to follow you doesn't really comfort me."

[clumsy_auror]

She sighs. "No, I know it doesn't."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He pinches the bridge of his nose and grinds his teeth.

"Will you let Kingsley know tomorrow?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Yes. And I can take care of myself, too."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"I know you can."

[clumsy_auror]

"Then don't--" She sighs again, and tangles her hand in her hair, looking away.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Don't what, exactly?"

He's not angry. But he is frustrated.

[clumsy_auror]

"Don't act like I'd be bouncing off the walls blindly if you weren't there to remind me of things."

She's not angry, either. But yes. Slightly frustrated.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Did it never occur to you that it makes me feel better to hear you say that you're going to let Kingsley know?"

[clumsy_auror]

"No," she says frankly. "I was too busy feeling like some wet-behind-the-ears trainee who apparently isn't capable of doing her own job."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Well," he murmurs stiffly, focusing on the table, "I'm not trying to treat you like a child. I'm sorry."