I Forgot that you Existed [Asher]

[Deleted]

March 19, 2026
asher rowan burke

Charlotta didn't really know why the record label had been invited to this job fair. In her not so humble opinion you didn't decide you wanted to be a musician and get to be one because you had good grades in school. None-the-less, here she was, representing the label she and her wife co owned. The wives had decided Charlotta's presence would be much more impactful considering her musical career history. She'd be more recognizable then her wife. Plus, they had a recording session at the studio today and Charlotta's wife much preferred that scene over this one.

So, like usual, she put on a smile and the show began. Charlotta answering questions, encouraging these students to aim for their dreams, handing out cards, all around charming the impressionable teenagers. Though, she didn't really have to try hard. Music drew teenagers in like bees to honey. The name Holopainen was enough for most, many students familiar with her own music and her brothers, and those that maybe weren't in the rock scene flocked over when they heard her label represented Auguste Courtemanche and Bête Noire.

After a seemingly endless stream of questions finally ended Charlotta had her assistant for the day take over, one of the composures for the label to discuss all the different types of jobs in the music industry. Charlotta took that moment to step away from the booth they'd been assigned to check out some of the other representatives there. Particularly she was interested to see who was here for WADA and WITCH TV as she had many connections to both organizations.

Though, before she had found them she stumbled upon a familiar face. Though familiar for a vastly different reason then WADA or WITCH TV. Charlotta actually scowled upon sight of Asher Burke. Ugh, the arrogant prick. "And here I was having such a good day," she started, her voice having a surprising bite to it. "Why'd you have to go and ruin it, Burke?"

[asher rowan burke]

Where did we go wrong

I don't even like you now

March 19, 2026
@charlotta

Asher tried his best not to look annoyed or displeased about being present at this ridiculous event. It happened every year, and a few times he’d been able to avoid it, but it certainly wasn’t a good show if a Department Head was missing. Plus, he met the interesting student who would fit in just fine on the rare occasion while mentally preparing to reject those who said they would apply and attempted to speak to him. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Bianca, looking about as thrilled as he was to be here, but her presence only made this entire occasion worse. Their entire relationship was about being professional. Asher disagreed with how she ran the Law Enforcement department—though he thought there were others better suited for the position.

While Bianca occupied herself by speaking to the Editor of the Prophet, another person Asher wasn’t terribly fond of—a voice caught his attention. The accent, the tone, and volume—it almost hurt his ears. Those intense blue eyes of his moved toward the voice and to the face, he hadn’t seen in years and one he hoped he wouldn’t have to for however long he lived. Charlotta Holopainen. She looked much the same as during their time at school, though that had been unpleasant, to say the least. At one point, there was that tiny, so very tiny, glimmer of hope that there might be a spark—but alas, it had been a false alarm. ”Well I suppose I should be concerned if the Ministry invited you to come here and inspire today’s youth.” Asher stood his ground, his posture never wavering, nor did he flinch at her presence. He wasn’t a man that backed down because he didn’t feel anyone was worthy of him yielding to them. ”I see you’re distracting the next generation from real careers.”

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[Deleted]

March 19, 2026
asher rowan burke

Asher Burke was a few years older then her but their time at Durmstrang has overlapped. Enough to have interacted a number of times, and enough to decide after a short while that they absolutely despised each other. Clearly, those feelings were still very strong for both of them. As Charlotta's expression clearly vocalized her disdain and Asher's was quite similar.

Charlotta planted her hand on her hip and smirked at him. Of course his response was filled with just as much venom as hers had been. "Really? I was thinking the same thing about you, unless they are hoping to discourage teenagers from working at the Ministry. If that's the case they're doing a fabulous job." She shifted, taking a hand from her hip and running her fingers through her hair. "But... what stall are you running again? I've just been so busy today." She smirked, making a jab at him since the chance had presented itself.

Though, his own jab made her scowl momentarily, before a cruel smirk replaced it. "Oh, of course. I forgot just how important your work is. Like when you.... Oh, silly me. I can't happen to recall you actually doing anything note worthy." She paused, still smirking. It was definitely some shade thrown towards the Department of Mysteries and their secretive work. Not that she had anything against them, she just wanted to be a bitch to Asher. "It truly is poor taste of me to compare my very lucrative and internationally renowned business to your..... work."

[asher rowan burke]

Where did we go wrong

I don't even like you now

March 19, 2026
@charlotta

Charlotta had never been one to back down, but nobody that survived Durmstrang ever did. It also wasn’t common for many to leave the school with a number of friends that was larger than the number of enemies. Asher had a few, but otherwise, there were many he’d happily curse on sight or just avoid in general. Unfortunately, he had less flexibility with those options. The type of reputation he wanted was to uphold his name and status if he could, which is why he struggled with his sister and her wild ways. Her jabs were expected, much like others in his life. If her words had been anything near friendly, he would have suspected she was cursed or under the influence of some potion.

”You confuse quantity with quality.” Asher responded in a flat tone as if this interaction was more boring than if he’d been standing alone in a corner. The only downside to working for the Department of Mysteries was the lack of glory that perhaps working for Law Enforcement or the Prophet might get him. But, he told himself it was the trade of more significant work and unlocking power secrets of magic that he didn’t have to share with anyone. At her comment, he scoffed. ”It would well be called the Department of Mysteries if you knew everything that went on inside.” Fortunately, money was not an issue for him either, or some more lucrative and profitable work would have been desired. Cursebreaking, for example, or owning his own business. But wait, he did already—not that Ministry knew about that. Imagine the Aurors and Interpol finding out one of their targets worked under the same roof. ”Yes…I didn’t realize being a glorified babysitter was so profitable.” Her nephew was always in the paper, or he overheard interns and employees talking about the young man.

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[Deleted]

March 19, 2026
asher rowan burke

Charlotta really wasn't known for being an... unpleasant person to deal with. She ran a record label after all! She'd also been a musician herself before deciding to go into management. So she'd learned to have good social skills over the years. But seeing Asher's face? Well it just brought out the vindictive side of her. Like she wanted to smash that smug look of his into a brick wall. Thankfully she was satisfied with simply mocking and insulting him. "Don't you need actual attendance to even have quality?" She smirked. "But I like to think of it as keeping my options open. While I can pick and choose whomever I'd like, you're stuck with well... Whatever turns your way. Whatever quality it may be." It was a little mean to talk about students in such a way... But again, it was all just to get under Asher's skin and antagonize him.

Charlotta raised an eyebrow as he spoke about how it was the Department of Mysteries, and how no one could know everything. To be honest, no one knew anything about their work. "Being an unmarried man in his thirties, working in the government's basement just sounds so... thrilling." she answered with a bored tone. Surely they did some good there, but who would even know? Plus, why not make a jab at him being a failure to launch?

Ah yes, the babysitter comment. One she should have expected. Because Emrys did need a babysitter. What a problem child. She scoffed at his words though. "And I didn't realize being a recluse in a basement all day was considered actual work."

[asher rowan burke]

Where did we go wrong

I don't even like you now

March 19, 2026
@charlotta

Asher believed that Charlotta was just one of many that needed to be put in their place. It was a wonder he ever wanted to get to know her or how she survived Durmstrang with that kind of insolent attitude. There was also the matter that she wasn’t a Pureblood, so why did Asher even bother? Unfortunately, the consequence of choosing to work in the Ministry of Magic was pretending to ride along this train of progressivism and this new era that had come out of the last Wizarding War. He played nice enough with his employees and colleagues though the contempt was always there in his eyes. For a brief moment, she’d had his attention in school, but that had faded quickly for both of them.

She made a quip that the caliber of his employees in the Department of Mysteries was due to a lack of selection. If only she knew the stringent requirements, he set in place for the people he allowed in. Naturally, he was forced to be lenient with the interns, but after that—well, it was up to him entirely. But he didn’t respond back immediately, he wasn’t the short-tempered type. Though he couldn’t help but narrow his gaze when she said ‘unmarried’. Now she was beginning to sound too much like his mother. ”I’d stay that way if it meant I didn’t have to marry…as low as your wife did.” Asher spoke darkly, pausing to look Charlotta up and down. There had been quite the gossip about that family when Charlotta’s current wife left her husband. ”Lets hope your wife’s siblings have a better sense.”

Asher had shifted, so he didn’t have to speak so loud. Fortunately, the bustling career fair cover was enough for his comments to go unnoticed by everyone except their target. She wasn’t wrong about the Department of Mysteries essentially being a basement, but even if he was at liberty to discuss his work, he wouldn’t have. The mystery element was important to the department’s freedom. ”You wouldn’t even begin to comprehend the work my department does.” Asher spoke as he adjusted the cufflink of his shirt as if he was bored. ”Though none of my employees end up in the paper for their inability to keep their pants on.” Even Asher read the paper and other publications, though typically Hazel would recount all the articles he’d skipped because he hadn’t wanted to read them.

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