(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

The front door swings open, and in walk Bernard and Nymphadora. They're both pale, and look incredibly weary.

The witch seats herself carefully in an armchair and presses the heels of her hands into her eyes.

"Shit."

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"I won't--"

He blinks rapidly. "Remus..."






Then it clicks.

"Remus?"

[clumsy_auror]

A short nod.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Jesus."

Bernard's knee draws up, and he rests an elbow on it, fisting a hand in his hair.

"Always, or...?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Since he was little."

Nymphadora draws in a deep breath, and leans back against the bathroom wall.

"'S why he looks so old. He and Sirius were the same age, you know."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Knew they were at school together, yeah. But Peter was so aged, too."

A short laugh.

"I thought maybe Sirius was just remarkably well-preserved."

[clumsy_auror]

"He can hardly walk, after the full moon."

She looks down at the bathmat, picking at it idly with her fingers.

It's a relief, telling him finally, but there's also a gnawing ache.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His hand slides over hers, stilling her restless fingers.

"You're a good friend to him."

His thumb circles over one knuckle.

"Of course I won't tell."

[clumsy_auror]

"I know." She lets out a shaky sigh. "It isn't that I don't trust you with it, of course not, it's just--" Her head thunks back against the wall. "You know what it means, to be different in my world."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"I do."

His eyes close, and in that blink, he imagines it, or tries to.

He shivers involuntarily and opens them again.

"Gosh. And I'd been having such a lovely night."

[clumsy_auror]

Headtilt. "...What is it?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Had a conversation with Lilly."

He rubs his eyes, the adrenaline leaving him now entirely.

He's very shaky. He's been pumped up for about an hour and a half.

"Anthy wasn't the killer. Lilly came to me to request that Bar make posters featuring the real killer, as he made himself known to Andrew the night of the wake."

His hand drops, and he just looks terrified.

"Todd Bowden."

[clumsy_auror]

"But he's -- he wasn't around for so -- I thought he'd gone."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"So did I."

[clumsy_auror]

"So is he still -- I mean, was Andrew able to, to subdue him or--"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Talked to Andrew, too."

He shakes his head.

"Todd came to taunt him, Lilly said, and she said Andrew said he was gone, so I went to see him, you know? And he said he was gone. Dead. He thinks for good."

Another shake.

"I don't believe it for a second."

[clumsy_auror]

Her eyes are impossibly wide, now, and her hand covers her open mouth.

She doesn't know what to say.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He shifts closer.

"Is there any way we can strengthen the wards any more, anything we can do to make it safer?"

[clumsy_auror]

"The wards we have -- they're the best, they--"

They don't work on ghosts.

She won't say it.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

But they work on Ophelia, on the patrons. Ghosts or no.

"I'll talk to 'Bert and Alanna."

"I--"

He stops, torn.

"If there's any chance he's not gone." He laughs suddenly, and it's tinged with hysteria.

"You know, I never, ever thought I'd even begin to suggest that it might be safer outside--"

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora's breathing hitches, and she holds out a hand towards him.

"No."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Nymphadora, he shot Meg Giry in the head in the very greenhouse Sunny and Ellie play near every fucking day. What the fuck am I supposed to think?"

[clumsy_auror]

"I don't know." Her voice breaks. "But my world's no safer for you, or for her, and we can't go to yours either, not for any length of time."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His jaw clenches, not in anger, but just from the strain of saying it.

"I can't leave the bar again so soon."

A deep breath.

"But if he's not gone, then maybe--"

Spit it out, Baby.

"Maybe your mum and dad would like to see you three, just for a bit?"

[clumsy_auror]

"...You want us to go? Without you?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard's face twists.

"I don't know." His hands are back in his hair. "I can't leave and it's not safe, and you can't be here if it's not safe--"