(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

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.

Comments

[young_tmriddle]

Tom knocks as he opens the door. It's been a couple of hours since he got 'Dora's owl asking him to drop by, but he came as soon as could.

"Hullo there, you. What's-" He takes in the blanket and the tea. "-up? Are you not well?"

Worried frown creasing his brow, he sits down on the couch beside her.

[clumsy_auror]

A somewhat mirthless laugh. "Been better. But I'm fine, honestly." Nymphadora rubs her nose, and takes a sip of tea before continuing. "I, uh. I was in hospital yesterday. Had a miscarriage."

[young_tmriddle]

"What?"

Panic flutters in his throat. He has absolutely no idea what to say or what to do. How does one respond? Condolences? Is she in pain? Should he even be sitting here beside her? What if he jostles her?

He should have brought her flowers.

After an awkward moment, he reaches for her hand. "Temple and arch, I'm sorry. Are you alright? I mean, I know that's a bloody stupid question..."

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora holds out her free hand quellingly, and squeezes the one holding hers. "I promise, I'm going to be all right. Really, I'm fine now. I wasn't-- I didn't even know I was pregnant. It was very early days."

[young_tmriddle]

He nods, his brain grasping for the right words to say.

"But still. Your Healer's keeping a close eye on you, yes?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah, of course." Taking a deep breath, she struggles to put it in terms that'll put Tom at ease. "It's really just like -- like a very heavy period. Er, time of the month," she amends, in deference to Tom's 1954 sensibilities.

[young_tmriddle]

Only it's not, he thinks, not really.

"Can I get you anything?"

And then with a wry, barely-there smile, he adds, "You can call it by its proper name. I have had some experience with, er, periods."

Then his cheeks spot with color, because while others may call it period all they want, he'll forever think of it as 'time of the month'.

[clumsy_auror]

"No, it's okay. Bernard's coddling me plenty, believe me." She meets his smile, though there's a bit less sparkle in her eyes than there generally is.

[young_tmriddle]

"Then I shall distract you. Trying your hand at sewing charms, eh?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah." Wryly, 'Dora laughs, and hands over the fabric. "'M trying to make Sunny a Christmas dress."

[young_tmriddle]

"I never tried that kind of thing. For all my magical prowess, I'd do better conjuring clothing out of thin air than trying to stitch one together."

[clumsy_auror]

"It isn't everyone's cup of tea," she sighs, and frowns at the still slightly-uneven stitches. "I think with me it's a bit of a mental block, which I am determined to conquer."

[young_tmriddle]

"I can spend hours working on theoretical charms and transfiguration, but getting stitches straight would drive me barmy."

Being a distraction is something Tom can do.

[clumsy_auror]

A crooked smile. "What're you getting Ingress for Christmas?"

[young_tmriddle]

"A trip to Valdamar. It's all she's asked for, so I figured either Door or I will escort her there and let her stay a couple of days. Plus a ridiculous amount of toys and/or dress up clothes, of course."

[clumsy_auror]

"Of course," 'Dora snickers. "But that'll be nice. Could use a bit of a holiday myself."

[young_tmriddle]

"I imagine we'll make it to the cottage for a few days, if we can. Are you going to your house in Brittany at all?"

[clumsy_auror]

"I hope so. Maybe sometime after New Year, we'll get a free weekend to go over there. Oooh, we'd have to baby-proof the house, though," she muses. "Anthony might be walking by then."

[young_tmriddle]

"Already?" He watches her closely without seeming to. "He'll be one in, what, a little over a month?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah. January fourteenth. Can't hardly believe that."

'Dora absently rubs one eye.

"Doesn't seem nearly so long as a year since he came."

[young_tmriddle]

"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?"

[clumsy_auror]

"'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.

[young_tmriddle]

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."

[clumsy_auror]

'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?"

[young_tmriddle]

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

Tom is very literal, sometimes.

"Coffee it is."