(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

"You don't have to be nervous," Nymphadora whispers, squeezing Bernard's hand and guiding him along through the throng of the morning rush hour in the Ministry's atrium. "You're gonna be fine. And you look brilliant." A crooked grin.

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He'd heard, of course.

But the idea of--

No.

Push it aside.

"Maybe some kind of fire-based containment spell? White-hot fire -- magnesium, maybe."

More scribbling.

Absently, "How will I um. Avoid getting Kissed myself, when I set these fuckers off?"

[wand_wavers]

"You'll be accompanied by a team of Aurors at all times, no exceptions. It'll be their job to ensure you get the bombs where they need to be, and that you're covered whilst setting them." A frank look. "If you go anywhere without them, I'll have your arse for a trophy."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry. You'll have to ask my wife for that particular objet d'art," Bernard quips, smiling at his page and writing furiously.

He doesn't agree, however.

[clumsy_auror]

"He can have it, if you wander off," she informs Bernard. "My first brush with a Dementor, I fainted, woke up, cast the worst Patronus on record, threw up, and fainted again. I was lucky there was someone more experienced with me. Otherwise, I'd be dead. Or rather, worse than."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Blue eyes flicker over to her. "I'm not sure where I'd wander to, sweetheart. Honestly."

[clumsy_auror]

"You know what I mean. Don't be a hero."

Her brow furrows, and she looks away, all the worries of the past week catching up to her at once. The realization has finally kicked in that she is actually bringing her husband into this war, and it's not sitting too well with Nymphadora.

[wand_wavers]

Allbright eyes her, and for the briefest of moments rests one large hand on her shoulder.

"He'll be fine. I'm putting some of our best shots on him."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard finally stops writing and looks up. He reaches over to take her hand, oblivious to Allbright for a moment. "Hey."

[clumsy_auror]

Taking a breath, Nymphadora looks back over at her husband and forces a smile. "I'm all right."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

A comforting half-smile. "You're not. But we will be."

[clumsy_auror]

She squeezes his hand, and her own smile softens, somewhat.

"Yeah. I know."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"We're going to get very old, and very, very argumentative, together," he continues.

[clumsy_auror]

Nodding a bit, Nymphadora leans closer, her shoulder brushing his.

[wand_wavers]

Allbright watches them, his expression somewhat unreadable, his steely eyes shrouded.

"Well," he says after a moment. "Better get you situated, Bernard. You'll see her at lunch, I'm sure."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

And, just like that, Bernard's all easy smiles and steely blue

(bombardier's)

eyes.

"See you." He stands letting go of her hand with some reluctance. "Let me know if Kathleen owls in a panic."

[clumsy_auror]

"I will. I'm sure they're fine."

She smiles back.

"Have fun. Stay in one piece."

And with that, she opens the door and heads for her cubicle.

[wand_wavers]

Allbright follows her out, motioning for Bernard to come down, too.

"And don't forget I need that final analysis on the Stapleton evidence by eleven sharp, Tonks!" he bellows after her.

The witch waves a hand over her head in acknowledgement, and narrowly avoids upsetting the mail trolley.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard can't help but snort and mutter under his breath, "Full marks in stealth."