Play it again | Rosie & Brandon

[Deleted]

October 2024

Life had been progressing at an alright pase. Rosie thought that it was going a little slow, but, overall, she knew that it was progressing. Rosie had always been someone who was alright with taking things slow and letting the universe control the speed at which things went, however, now, after her trip across America, and since starting her new job at the Daily Prophet, she had been feeling like life was moving too slowly. She wasn’t sure what she wanted exactly, but she knew that she felt behind. She felt behind the people whom she graduated with, she felt behind at work and wondered if there was ever going to be a way to move forward. She just didn’t feel like she was where she needed to be.

But Brandon had got a new job, and was now playing music at a club in London. A wizard club. One that Rosie knew was famous for dancing and late night fun. Definitely not a place that she ever saw herself. But she walked in just before the time that her boyfriend had told her his set would start. She asked for a soda at the bar instead of a drink and was given a weird look by the bartender before she sat down near the stage. There weren’t too many tables around, she figured that people didn’t tend to sit at a place like this. But she sat. And she waited for Brandon to start playing, and she cheered while he did. And when he finished his set, she walked up to him. “You were great.” she insisted.

@brandon

[Deleted]

Getting the job at Club Indigo was a very eye-opening experience for Brandon. First of all, he’d never spent much time in a place like that. Honestly, before applying for the job he only came here once and that was to try and get over the fact that Rosie left him and went to America. He’d been very distraught, thinking that the girl he loved was never coming back and didn’t even have the decency to give him a real goodbye. Other than that, he was more likely to be found in a park or café or something. To his surprise, Brandon found that he actually enjoyed the atmosphere here more than he thought he would. The people were cheerful and looking for a good time, and he was glad that maybe his music could help them enjoy themselves a bit more. To add to that, they seemed to really enjoy his music, which made Brandon even happier to be there with them.

Today was supposed to be different. Rosie told him that she was going to come and see him play and he was excited. He didn’t get a chance to see her that day before work, so when he got on the stage and saw her sitting at a table, he smiled and winked at her. It was fine, most people were focused more on their own dancing than on him, so he was certain that hardly anyone noticed him noticing the pretty witch sitting at the table closest to him.

The performance went as well as he hoped it would and once it was done, he jumped down from the stage, people cheering as he did so. Their attention was quickly diverted when the DJ took over again, starting a new song, which the people immediately started dancing to. Rosie approached Brandon, saying he did well and Brandon grinned. “Yeah? I thought tonight went pretty well,” he told her, wrapping a hand around her waist and giving her a quick kiss. “I’m so glad you came. I know this isn’t really somewhere you feel comfortable, Rose, so thanks.” He loved that she came here just for him. “So what do you think of the place?” Brandon asked curiously, wanting to know her opinion.

rose harriet granger-weasley

[Deleted]

Rosie cheered with the rest of the people in the club as Brandon finished his set and then jumped down from the stage. To her surprise, he came right over to her. She knew that he would come find her eventually, but she had thought he had some business to do, or would go put his guitar away first. She felt incredibly lucky to be who she was in that moment, especially once she noticed that she hadn’t been the only one making eyes at her boyfriend. She trusted Brandon and was never worried that he would even notice another girl looking at him, but she noticed. She didn’t blame there either: talented and good looking, she knew what she had. “It absolutely went well, you played brilliantly. I love listening to you sing.” she hugged and kissed him back, feeling very proud of him, despite her slight uncomfortableness of the local. “Of course I came! I would do anything to support you.” she nodded. He then asked what she thought of the place and she shrugged. “Well it’s definitely not my cup of tea, but it’s not as scary as I thought it would be.” she said with a laugh. “Do you want to hang around here for a bit?” she offered.

@brandon

[Deleted]

Brandon absolutely loved the sight of Rosie cheering for him. Granted, he knew that she would be. She was so supportive and kind and happy and he knew that she wanted him to succeed with his music. He appreciated her support with it more than she would probably ever know, which was why it meant so much to him that she was here now. He didn’t even notice anyone else watching him as he approached his girlfriend. All he had eyes for was Rosie, his best friend for so many years. He grinned when she told him how wonderfully he did. “Thanks Rose,” he told her, really meaning it. Her opinion about his music and, well, everything really mattered to him. She said that she would do anything to support him. “You know I’d do the same for you right?” he said, wanting to make sure she did. He didn’t want Rosie to think that he wouldn’t be there for her when she needed. He smiled, “I know. I wasn’t entirely sure how it would be when I applied here, but the atmosphere is a bit better than I expected.” She asked if he wanted to stay and Brandon cocked his head to the side, “If you do. I was thinking it could be fun to dance together if you wanted … it’s been a while.” He knew they’d shared one dance at the Yule Ball, but that was before they started dating and it felt like so long ago. He liked the idea of dancing with her, even though this wasn’t the same as dancing at Hogwarts a year ago. “What do you think?” Brandon asked, watching her carefully. He didn’t want to do anything she wasn’t feeling comfortable with.

rose harriet granger-weasley

[Deleted]

He called her Rose. Not once, but twice. That was a weird feeling, but she didn’t necessarily hate it. She had never gone by Rose, unless someone was trying to address Rose Weasley but was looking at her. They were in the same classes and with their names being so similar, same first and last initials and both being variations of Rose, it wasn’t unseen that people confused the two of them accidentally. He thanked her and told her that he would do anything to support her too. She knew that. “Of course I know.” She almost didn’t know anymore more than she knew that. He had forgiven her for leaving for 3 months because he supported her and her dreams. He was the best boyfriend she could as for.

He agreed with her that the club wasn’t what he had been expecting either. It was kind of nice. While she could tell that not everyone around her agreed with her morals and values, she could see that they were all here just to have a fun night and to meet new people. Maybe if she were single and more adventurous, she’d try to come here. “Yeah, we can stay and dance for a while!” she agreed, her face lighting up a bit at the idea of dancing with him. They hadn’t really danced, they had once at the yule ball, but they were just friends then. “Lead the way.” she giggled.

@brandon

[Deleted]

Brandon smiled when Rosie said that she knew he was there for her. Good. He didn’t really know much that was going on with him right now. He knew he loved his music and was waiting for the studio to give him the time to make his first album, knew that he was spending the time until then working here. He was also enjoying it far more than he originally anticipated, but a big part of him felt like the future was this big mess of questions. He didn’t know exactly what was going on for any of it, which was annoying but definitely something he could deal with. Rosie, now that she was back, was the one constant in his life. He knew how he felt about her and how she felt about him in return. He loved her.

It was clear to Brandon that Rosie wasn’t entirely comfortable here in the club, but he offered to dance with her all the same, not entirely sure what she would want. However, her face brightened happily as she agreed almost instantly to his idea. “Great!” He was more than delighted that she wanted to stay here and dance with him for a bit. She told him to lead the way and he took her hand, pulling her after him onto the dance floor. The song was a fast one, but that wasn’t a problem. He stayed pretty close to her laughing and dancing and occasionally talking above the music. “Are you thirsty?” Brandon asked after they’d been dancing for a while. It was definitely getting hot in here and he wanted to make sure Rosie was comfortable. If she wasn’t, she probably wouldn’t ever come back here.

rose harriet granger-weasley

[Deleted]

Rosie followed her boyfriends lead and began to feel more comfortable as they began doing what just about everyone else in here was doing. Once you didn’t feel so much like an outsider looking in, but more as one of the crowd, it got easier to enjoy the club and not think so much about the reputation it had or the kinds of people that could be around her. It wasn’t as if she was well known or had any reason to fear being seen here. Some people might know her mother, but they doubted that they would know her. Unless they were former classmates or new co-workers, in which case, she’d still want to make a good impression.

She danced with him easily, a smile staying on her lips for most of the time they were on the dance floor. He asked if she was thirsty and she shrugged, thinking of the soda which she had left on the table. She glanced back now and saw that it was gone. Even if it was still sitting there, she’s taken her eyes off of it for so long she didn’t trust that no one had touched it in her absence. She’d get a new one anyway. “Sure.” she agreed. This time, it was her who took his hand and lead him over to the bar.

@brandon

[Deleted]

It wasn't hard for Brandon to be able to tell when his girlfriend started to feel more comfortable in the crowd of people. It took Rosie a few minutes of dancing with him, at first she was a bit tense and her smile seemed a little forced, but when she forgot about the people around them she seemed to relax. He wanted to comment on it, tease her maybe about not being relaxed, but at the same time he didn't want to. He didn't want to do or say anything that might bring the tension back, Brandon wanted to have an enjoyable evening with his girlfriend.

She agreed to the idea of getting a drink and started pulling Brandon over toward the bar. He walked with her easily, squeezing her hand a little. "So, how are you enjoying yourself?" he muttered softly into her ear, even though he was pretty sure he knew about what she'd say. They got to the bar and he ordered a soda for himself, letting Rosie get whatever she wanted and nodding to the bartender, a sign that he would take care of it. He sat on a stool and looked at his girlfriend, "You wanna stay here or do something else?" Brandon would do whatever she wanted.

rose harriet granger-weasley

[Deleted]

A part of Rosie still found it unbelievable that not only had Brandon, a guy whom she always just saw as a friend, asked her on a date and changed her entire way of looking at him, but then kept seeing her to the point where they became boyfriend and girlfriend and now saw each other almost every day. She almost felt dependent on him, he always knew how to make her smile and she felt completely safe with him around. It just felt amazing, it felt almost surreal. These sorts of things happened in books and in movies, not in real life? Right? Especially once you factored in all of the drama of him nearly dying and her running away for 3 months.

As they walked over to the bar, Rosie felt his voice in her ear and bit her lip a little at the feeling of his breath on her skin and him being so close to her. She didn’t usually get butterflies around him anymore. But right now, she definitely had them. “Yeah, I really am.” she insisted easily, flashing him her smile. When they made it to the bar, he ordered a soda and she ordered another soda as well. As they sat at the bar while their drinks were being made, Rosie looked around. There were a few faces that she recognized, but none she wanted to go and talk to. People in their year she knew, and some people who graduated before her. He looked over at her and asked if she wanted to stay or go and she shrugged, “Well we just ordered our drinks so it looks like we’re here for a while longer.” she said with a giggle. She didn’t mind staying for a bit. It was fun to let loose a little. “Is that alright with you?” she asked.

@brandon

[Deleted]

Brandon loved time with his girlfriend. Basically, he took any opportunity to be with her. He especially loved convincing her to try new things when he had the chance. He loved the look on her face when she realized she was enjoying herself, kind of like right now. He knew that she didn’t think of herself as the type to really go to clubs. Honestly, he didn’t really see her that way either, but they were the same in that way. If he didn’t work at Club Indigo, it was highly unlikely that he would step in the place at all … well, except for that one time he did during the summer when Rosie was gone. That was a different situation though, since he was distraught and thinking he lost her forever.

This was very different and he found himself enjoying it immensely. Rosie was beautiful, her cheeks flushed from the dancing and her smile bright. Merlin, he loved being around her. “Good,” Brandon smiled right back at her, “I didn’t want to keep you here if you weren’t.” Even though he definitely was having a good time, he would have left in a heartbeat if Rosie wanted him to. She teased him to answer his question, saying they should stay for a bit since they did just order drinks. Brandon chuckled and nodded, “I suppose that makes sense.” He was staring at her a bit, unable to help himself. She was just so beautiful right now. She asked if he was all right staying and Brandon nodded, “Sure. I just want to be with you, so if you’re happy here, I am too,” he answered confidently. Their drinks arrived and Brandon smiled at her as he took his own and sipped it, enjoying the carbonation as it ran down his throat. “So how was work today?” he asked, really just wanting to hear her voice right now. He was still trying to believe that she was actually there with him.

rose harriet granger-weasley

[Deleted]

Rosie was trying very hard to try new things in her life. She was a lot braver now than she had been at any point ever in her life up to this point and she did credit her trip to America as a big reason why she was finally so willing to try new things and open herself up to new people and new experiences. She knew that he would be glad that she was having fun. He always was looking out for her and making sure that she was comfortable. She appreciated that about him. Among the many other things, He told her that he was happy to just be with her wherever she wanted to be. She was happy to stick around for a little bit, it was still fairly early, she was sure that if this place got as crazy as she heard that it did, it wouldn’t be until much later tonight. He asked her how work was for her and she shrugged. “I spent almost all day copy editing the opinion section.” she admitted without much joy in her voice. Rosie loved to write. She wanted to be writing. But she knew she had to put in the work in order to get there, and her 3 month unemployment gap hadn’t worked in her favor. “The day i get to actually write something will be a day we celebrate.” she released a sound that was a mixture of a sigh and a laugh.

@brandon

[Deleted]

Brandon made a face on Rosie's behalf when she said that she spent all day editing. "Oh I'm sorry. That doesn't sound like much fun at all." He wished there was something he could do to help Rosie enjoy work a little more right now, but after talking with her about it several times before he'd come to realize that there really wasn't anything to do except for support her. Rosie would make a great writer for the Daily Prophet, but she was fresh out of school and so she had to go through the intern process first. "I'm sure it'll pass by quicker than you think," he said, hoping his words were encouraging and not patronizing. Then he grinned, "Oh we'll celebrate that day. The day you get to write and the day I get to record something. Big celebration days in our futures," he told her with a wink. Until then, Brandon was determined to enjoy what they had. A little less responsibility and a pretty decent amount of time to spend with one another. He wasn't excited for the time when he'd be very busy and wouldn't be able to spend lots of time with her almost every day. So he'd enjoy the moment, for sure.

rose harriet granger-weasley

[Deleted]

Brandon agreed that what she did all day didn’t sound like much fun, but she knew that it was part of the job. There were things that everyone had to do in every profession in order to make their way up. Everyone had to put in the time doing the boring work before they were trusted to cover stories and write their own articles. She knew that those who ran sections of the paper didn’t start there, they had started just where she was, and hopefully, one day, she’d be there too. “Exactly!” she agreed when he said that the day she got to write and he got to record would be days they would both celebrate. She then looked down at the bar, she took her glass of soda in her hand and held it out to him. “To our future…” she offered, hoping that he would understand what she was going and would clink glasses and drink with her to their future. Hopefully, a future together. She wasn’t sure what her life would be without him.

@brandon

[Deleted]

Brandon laughed when she agreed with him. He was glad that even though he wasn't going into a field that was even remotely connected to journalism (other than the interviews), he could understand what she was going through a little bit. He didn't ever want Rosie to feel like she was alone. He wanted to be there for her, helping her in any way he possibly could. He lifted his own soda in response, echoing her sentiment. "Our future," he tipped his glass to touch hers and then took a swallow of the carbonated beverage. Then he looked at her. "So, what do you want to do now Rosie? We can go out there again," Brandon gestured to the dance floor, "or we can go somewhere else for a fun evening. It's entirely up to you," he told her with a smile. He would do whatever she wanted, happily. 

rose harriet granger-weasley

[Deleted]

He clinked glasses with her and she smiled, drinking a second and then setting her glass back down on the counter. He then looked at her and asked what she wanted to do now, she shrugged. He suggested that they could either go back down and dance for a while, or, they could go somewhere else and ‘have a fun evening.’ she smiled at his description. “Could we go someplace a little more quiet?” she asked, not wanting to ruin his fun or his night. She knew that he worked there now and was going to have to get used to being there, but she wasn’t sure that she wanted to stay much longer. It seemed like if they weren’t going to drink, it might get boring a little quicker.

@brandon