clumsy_auror | (no subject)

(no subject)

Distractions are a positive thing.

Books are somewhat helpful, but her attention keeps wandering; the television or music are even less effective. Doing something with her hands is a definite improvement, so Nymphadora's sitting on the couch with a scrap of fabric, a spool of thread, a needle, and her wand in her hand. She's practicing the sewing spells Molly taught her.

As a concession to Bernard's nerves, there's a blanket tucked around her legs, and a cup of tea on the table in front of her.

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"No, I don't suppose it does."

The witch takes a long draught of tea and then sighs.

"Anyway."

That crinkle between her eyebrows is back. "You want me to leave you to yourself, sweetheart? I won't be mad."

"No-- no, not at all," she says quickly, reaching over to put a hand on Kathleen's arm. "'S nice just talking with you. Haven't had much of a chance to do that lately, you and I. Always something else going on."

"Well, not much to say on our end." A shrug. "Late fall's always pretty slow. I'm wondering if we should get a cow or something to give Dude something to do with his hands besides kill the tractor and fix it all winter."

She snickers, at that. "I'd go for a couple of goats, if I were you. Not quite so heavy if that accidentally stand on your foot, and far more entertaining."

"Best stay away from sheep, though. Jimmy Berger'll never leave them alone."

"A great deal has happened in that year, eh?"

He notices the rubbing of the eye. She must be tired. He puts his arm around her, and then leans his head against hers. "Look, if you need anything - and I mean anything - you owl me? Alright?"

She laughs harder and gets up, walking over to the kitchen and returning with a plate of assorted baked goods.

"...What was it about Dude, Kathleen? Tell me how the two of you fell in love."

"'Course I will," she murmurs, slipping an arm around his waist. Her chest burns with the weight of it all, with the love people like Tom see fit to give her. It's a good sort of burning, though.

He kisses her on the forehead. "Why don't you get some rest? You look knackered. Mastering sewing can wait a little longer."

He stands up, not letting go of her hand.

"I'm sorry this happened, my dear. I'm here if you need me."

'Dora smiles softly, and squeezes his hand. "Thank you. Really." She presses a brief kiss to his knuckles. "Want to have coffee sometime next week?"

"Coffee? Er, I suppose so, yes. I mean, yes, definitely."

Tom is very literal, sometimes.

"Coffee it is."

"Or tea," she laughs. "Sorry, it's hard not to pick up some of Bernard's Americanisms now and again. All right, then. Take care. My love to everyone."

"Of course. As I said, I'd do anything to help you, up to and including drinking coffee. Take care of yourself, Auror."

The smile widens. "You too, Riddle."

He gives her a bow and a silly smirk and then he leaves her to her rest.

He'll be checking on her often in the next few days. That's for certain.

"Mentors. Can't live with them, can't get mentally, emotionally, and physically scarred without them?"

Oh what?! She's the one who bloody well told him to.

Snickering, she thumps him on the shoulder. "Git."

Kathleen shrugs, smiling. "Not much to tell. I taught philosophy at Whitman for a few years, and liked it all right. Buuuut, it was the '40's, and a girl didn't just teach and teach and not get married." She sips her tea, a girlish blush rising to her cheeks. "Couldn't really find anybody I liked in town, 'till Dude swept me off my feet."

"...I could see Dude being quite good at the sweeping thing," 'Dora muses, a considering look on her face. "He's really quite dashing."

"He really is." She shakes her head. "One minute I was teaching freshmen about the Allegory of the Cave, and the next I was at a farm with a damn cowboy who kept repeating himself."

The grin softens. "Can't think of too many better places to be."

Kathleen snorts. "Could've been worse, I guess, but I'll never have enough recipes using onions."

'Dora laughs, and then gently squeezes Kathleen's hand again. "You two're brilliant. You know that, right?"

The blush deepens, and Kathleen pulls her hand away, embarrassed. "I'm sure I know no such thing. We're just regular."

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