Home for the summer ¦ Alfie

[Alora Veda Astor]

Alora had been busying herself the last few days, getting ready for the upcoming school year; her first school term. The nerves were biting at her more than they should really, and she wasn't exactly handling them well. For the most part she had thrown herself into the organisation of it all and buried herself in lesson planning and re-acquainting herself with the Hogwarts Greenhouses. Although she had knew them once so well, her solace, a lot had changed since she had graduated- especially since they were also refurbished after last years fall of Hogwarts.

But today she had to face something she admittedly knew fuck all about; the supply chain.

Although she obviously didn't have to pay for class supplies; she did have to go through the ordeal of estimating just what supplies were needed and how much to get. Hogwarts admin had referred her to their previous supplier, a seemingly local enough family owned business they had said, she just needed to get the nitty gritty done herself. Really she had no idea where to even start with it all, and she had written a letter to this 'Alfred O' Callaghan' and requested a meeting to 'run through' her plans. In reality it was a trap to try and gain some sort of guidance on the whole matter. Someone with a name like Alfred O' Callaghan seemed senior enough that they'd know what they were talking about and could push Alora in the right direction surely.

As she sat in the dregs of the evening sun outside the pokey pub where she was to meet Mr. O' Callaghan, she eyed her handbag where the crumpled box of cigarettes lay at the bottom of it. She'd been smoking a lo more these days as a coping mechanism for the stress and she hated herself for it. It was a filthy habit and she wanted to kick it; and yet as she checked her watch for the time, all she could think about was wrapping her painted red lips around one. Seven PM on the button. This old guy should be here any minute now and would catch her smoking; she couldn't even squeeze one in before he arrived. No she needed to stay calm and professional. Pushing her lips together she concentrated instead on the glass of wine in front of her and hoped he would be on time so she could continue to ignore her vices.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Life for Alfie as of late had been overwhelmingly busy. Among traveling, taking care of hundreds of plants, running a side business, and Full Moons... His life was always in constant motion and phases. There were far too many up and downs to keep track of, so he would just keep moving forward as his days blurred together. A part of him was grateful being so busy because he didn't have time to dwell on being depressed. The Colorado man could finally say that he was comfortable in the UK. He drove on the opposite side of the road a couple of times and hated it. Luckily he had magic and didn't have to worry about driving, but he'd always drive if his friends were too drunk. 

Over the course of the past week, he had been in contact with a nice old lady by the name of Alora Astor. She was the Herbology Professor at MAGIC who had taken over his position and his curiosity took over. Alfie knew how stressful and tedious it was to get greenhouses set up from scratch, so he offered to meet up and help her out. Alfie though that since he had it down to a formula, he'd pay it forward to his elders. And truthfully, he wanted to see the new renovated greenhouses, so he figured it would be a good chance to rub elbows with a fellow Herbologist.

As Alfie approached the pub, his eyes scanned the tables outside, where they agreed to meet. There was only a rusty colored redhead who looked a bit uncomfortable sitting off on her own, fidgeting with her purse on the chair. That definitely wasn't the old lady 'Alora' he was looking for, but maybe he'd chat it up with a pretty lady. Even if trying to pick up chucks at a bar was entirely cringe worthy, even for him.

Ruffling a hand through his loose curls, the man stopped near her table with a small wave, "Hi. Sorry to bother you since this is a long shot, but are you Alora..Astor?" he asked, eyes falling down to the red head with sinfully painted lips. The sight alone made his mouth go dry and he swallowed sharply. Alfie had already decided mentally that it wasn't but hell she was pretty.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

She had been clutching her handbag and beginning to rifle through it when Alfie arrived. Not noticing him in her general vicinity, and also waiting for what she expected to be a much older man- she had paid him no attention.

That was until he actually directly addressed her. Like a dear caught in the head-lights, she looked up and gave him an almost guilty smile. He had saved her from breaking her good intentions and slipping back into her bad habits of course, he hadn't to know that but what a knight in shining armour all the same. "Yes?" raising a perfectly arched eyebrow, her guilty smile wavered. How had he known that? Unless. No. Surely not. Dawning realisation showed on her face; this was the Alfred O' Callaghan she was meant to be meeting. "I....uh..." This was not the seventy-five year old retired Professor she had heard of, and imagined in her head. This was their much more younger son, if not grandson. Merlin, he was actually pretty cute. As she realised she had been staring, mouth agape with the realisation, she quickly shut it and forced herself to have some manners of some sort. Amelia Astor would be spinning in her grave.

Blinking, her smile became much more sheepish as she took in his curls and slightly awkward demeanour. "Sorry. Yes I'm Alora." motioning to the chair opposite she bit down on her lip and smiled at him again

"Sit, please. Alfred I'm guessing?" raising an eyebrow again, she forced herself to settle back and try and force some semblance of sanity.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie shoved his hands into his pockets, watching as confusion on the red heads face seemed to grow. He felt like he may have caught her in a moment. The mans head cocked to the side, flickering with amusement. She apologized and offered for him to sit, so he pulled out the seat and slid into it easily. "Please forgive me, but you aren't the sweet old lady I was expecting." he said with an easy laugh. Obviously speaking what he was thinking.

"Hi Alora. It's nice to meet you." he greeted with an awkward growing smile. She seemed to be very pleasant, a proper lady. Her hair framed her face delicately as the color rushed to her cheeks. The name Alfred instantly made him feel like he was in trouble, people rarely called him that old geezer name. "Oh, you can call me Alfie. Whoever gave you that name is probably messin' with ya, or maybe me..." he laughed, happy to ease into conversation. It would be better to keep things professional, since he didn't need to be ogling over a new customer. "You gettin settled in the new greenhouses and whatnot?" he asked more conversationally.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Setting her bag down in the chair at her side, her smile relaxed somewhat as she realised this would be her acquaintance for now. Though there was still a sheepish element to it. "I have to admit I was expecting some old man as well.." Her teeth showed just slightly behind her red stained lips as they hung open, unsure if she wanted to sip at her wine or not. For now she decided against it, instead turning her attention back on him.

"Alfie." she repeated in her quiet tone. "Sorry it's just the name the clerk at Hogwarts sent me to get in touch with you, but alright then, Alfie" Now choosing to reach for her wine, she raised an eyebrow and motioned to call the staff over "Have a drink?" Shifting in her chair slightly, she took a sip and carefully set the glass back down again before surveying him once more. He seemed nice. Despite the slight American twang to his accent, it didn't set her running, but it did make thoughts of Sam creep into the corners of her mind. Though they only held on to her for a moment before she dismissed it as ridiculous. It wasn't even a similar accent. His, she couldn't even really place.

With a slow nod, she pondered the questions. "Okay, I think?" with a quiet laugh under her breath, she looked down. "They're not too different from when I was at Hogwarts. Some new ones were built, but it seems the LIFE classes are using them more. I don't really know what to be doing either. I've done up some lesson plans and stuff but, I suppose things might change.." realising she had likely said too much, she let herself trail off, her smile slightly more sheepish now.

"The clerk said you used to teach at Hogwarts? Was that long ago or..?" tilting her head to the side, she watched him for a reaction. That was her sly way to try and gauge his age. He didn't seem all that older than her. After a moment of taking in his curls and casual clothes, she thought about how, just maybe, there was a reason he wasn't still teaching there. Maybe he had gotten caught up in the explosion. Maybe it was a trauma that she shouldn't have asked. "If you don't mind me asking that is.." while usually good at hiding her emotions, the uncertainty was clear on her face as she reached for her wine again and hope it wasn't as she imagined; the worst.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie waved away her apologies easily with a smile. He didn’t really care what she called him. ”No worries, honestly.” he laughed. Easily ordering a beloved dark pint as a house elf trotted by. Alfie turned to her with a smile, ”You don’t have to twist my arm to drink...” he joked. Glad she asked, honestly. Booze always settled his nerves. He wasn’t as nervous before…when he pictured Alora as the sweet British lady. Now he actually had to try.

The house elf delivered his pint to their table and he thanked them. Alora asked about his experience at Hogwarts and he nodded, knowing that question would be coming. ”Yes, I was Professor of Herbology the past 3 years at Hogwarts and it was fantastic. Before that, Ilvermorny for for 4 years and loved it there, too. After the restructuring of the schools I decided my heart isn't really in teaching anymore. Also, students fucking up my plants made me very grumpy every day...so I wish you the best of luck with that obstacle alone." he explained, ending with a light laugh. There were certain teacher moments he knew he'd miss but the bad outweighed the good when it involved teenagers.

The truth was...Alfie had a hard time grieving over the death of his students and coping with the death and destruction he experience that day. He felt like he failed them. Schools should have been the one safe place for kids and somehow their safety was jeopardized time after time again. But Alfie wouldn’t go deep into those details with Alora. They weren’t scheduled for therapy hour. Astrid had helped him get his mind off of a lot of those things with random adventures involving tracking herbs and dragons which he was forever grateful for. Alfie listened intently as she spoke, catching on that she seemed a bit unsure about how to navigate the new school year. Alfie remember how in the dark he felt starting at Hogwarts. Everything felt extremely outdated compared to Ilvermorny at the time.

Setting his bag on the chair next to him and flipping it open, he rifled through a few papers before pulling out a small stack of stapled papers. "Ah. Here. If you need some guidance or reassurance with your current plans, you can use my previous syllabus’ that I created for each year as a guide for yourself. As you said, things will be mostly different, but it may help..” he offered as a friendly gesture, pushing the crisp stack of papers toward the copper haired beauty. He swallowed, hazel eyes falling to her gaze carefully. ”Have you been teaching for long, Alora?” Alfie asked, trying to gauge her age. She was definitely younger than he was and he couldn’t help but pick up a cautious vibe off of her but she was very pleasant.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

BBCode ”You don’t have to twist my arm to drink...”

Her smile at that was almost wicked. Even if he was totally unexpected, Alfie was turning out to be quite a nice companion. Not bad to look at, liked to have a drink and was pretty genial. This could be quite a nice afternoon all things considered. Sitting back, she was almost relaxed as she watched him take the first sip from his pint. That was until he casually threw out he was actually her predecessor. Her eyebrows flew up, and the amber eyes quickly rounded. Well shit. She didn't know he was the old Herbology Professor. Somehow that changed things for her. Her red lips parted in surprise and she let out a quiet "Oh..."

Working immediately to cover her shock and surprise, after a moment she was able to school her face into something slightly more neutral. "Oh I see. Well..." clearing her throat, she looked down for a moment as she felt her cheeks flush just slightly "Big shoes to fill and all that." with a slightly forced laugh she made herself look back to him. For now she felt ultimately pathetic. A slight grimace crossed her face at the idea of students ruining plants. "That I'll deal with, with some well hidden hexing possibly" If she could get away with it that was. Maybe. Maybe not.

As he passed her some papers, an eyebrow raised and she leaned forward to take them. "Oh!" Her smile was now more genuine, and growing as she began to leaf through them and take some points in. They didn't look too dissimilar to the plans she had drawn up so far, but maybe there would be some points she could take from them. "Thank you Alfie" adding quietly she gave him another small smile, feeling more drawn to him. He was more similar to her than she had originally realised. There was an ease she didn't even feel herself slipping into, but it was nice all the same. With a slightly more sheepish smile now she settled her attention back on him. "I've actually not really technically done any before I suppose. As part of my Muggle Uni degree I worked at times as a teaching assistant but it was in a very very different capacity I suppose. That was more just an aid sort of, there if students had questions and things. And the subject was different obviously. This is a bit of a change I suppose. Though I've been very into Herbology, well all my life really. I've been part of three different research studies with the Antheia Institute in South America and really if it had been an option I would have done that in University, but it wasn't so..." Realising she was probably talking too much she rounded herself off, drawing out the 'so' and giving him another sheepish smile

"But this will be different I guess. I think I'll need your tips wherever I can get them"

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie couldn’t help but notice she seemed surprised he was the previous professor at Hogwarts, she was filling his previous role. She seemed appreciative of the information he was sharing. His eyes couldn’t help but match her gaze, noticing she had very pretty, warm brown eyes. For a moment he wasn’t sure if he got caught staring.

A slightly bashful smile started to grow when she stated that she’d have large shoes to fill. Well, she wasn’t wrong. He knew he was a student favorite because he was a “fun” teacher as long as work got done and everyone paid attention while he was talking. His head cocked to the side with interest when she said that she had been a teaching assistant at Antheia Institute in South America. He had gone to a few lectures there in the past. ”Oh, Antheia Institute? That’s very impressive.” he told her with an approving head bob, truly meaning it. Alfie chuckled, ”It’s going to be different, but you’ll be fine. Just stand your ground with teenagers and don’t be afraid to give detention… the greenhouses always need some extra love.” he explained, knowing what sort of antics students pulled in his greenhouses when he was in charge. With the thought of his greenhouses swirling in his mind, he cocked his head to the side thoughtfully, ”I’m curious about how the new greenhouse set up is like. I bet they're really nice now.”

Alfie took a sip of his beer, grateful for life giving tonic calming his nerves with the copper haired beauty. Ruffling a hand through his hair to feign nonchalance, ”I live in Hogsmeade, so if you need anything don’t hesitate to reach out. My number is on the syllabus so feel free to call, text, owl, or send a smoke signal..” he joked lightly but feeling like a freaking dork.  No wonder why he was till single.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

As she realised how awkward she suddenly felt after she went on her ramble, she pointedly averted her gaze from his for a moment. It was easier to flick her eyes downward and not look at his smile, easier to pretend to rifle through the notes he had given her. Especially as his smile became more bashful.

That would have brought a slight bit more colour to her cheeks than she would have liked.

"Yeah it was great. Some projects bigger than others of course. But all of them were pretty interesting. Trying to downplay her input in some of the Herbological breakthroughs she had played part in. "It will be different though yes. That's what I'm afraid of." Biting her lip, her cheeks did flush just slightly at her admittance as she dared glance up at him again. "Especially the Teenagers." With a quiet laugh, she reached towards her glass and emptied the dregs of sauvignon left in it. Setting it carefully back, instead she moved her hands to twist a lock of her hair around her finger. Anything to busy herself.

"The idea of being a proper teacher is a bit worrisome. But I will enjoy being back in the Greenhouses." her tone dropping an octave again, it softened. "I grew up in them. they were my safe place I guess. I used to hide there. Away from everything and everyone. Just me and the greens, happy. Even if they are a bit different now." with a small smile, her shoulders shrugged rather feebly again. Now she said it out loud, it sounded rather pathetic. She was pleased enough when he changed the subject, self consciously rubbing her tongue along her teeth under her lips.

"Well, the newer ones are mostly reserved for studies in LIFE, but I have access. I can teach some parts of the syllabus there. I'll show you around them sometime" her smile almost shy again, she met his gaze. "Oh, that's handy though. I live in London, but I took a room over Madam Puddifoots for the term time. Maybe I will have to annoy you some more for help...."


alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie took a sip of beer, feeling his mind reeling a bit. He knew if he kept on track and spoke about work, things would be fine, but he was curious about the young lady sitting in front of him. He wondered where she came from and what her interests were. Obviously, herbology was one of them.

Alfie nodded understandably when she stated she was worried about being a good teacher. ”Honestly? The teaching part is easy. I feel like dealing with the different attitudes and behaviors of students is what tends to be the biggest obstacle, but you'll be fine.” he assured her. As Alora spoke about the greenhouses being her happy place, a slow spreading smile started to cross his face. He agreed with her completely. He lifted his beer to cheers the air, "That's why you were chosen for the position. Keep up that spirit. Plants over people, right?"

Alora shared that she had arrangements to stay at Madam Pudifoots when the term started. ”We will be practically neighbors." he joked lightly feigning a more friendly tone, "So feel free to reach out anytime, or hey, even if you need to drink and dish about students. I probably have dirt on some of them." he chuckled with a light smile. Alfie circled back, curious to learn something about her. ”Are you from London then?” he asked, his eyes searched for her gaze. "Sorry if my American is showing, I'm shit at identifying accents.." Alfie chuckled at himself, feeling his ears start to go red.  

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Awkwardly Alora raised a hand signalling for another glass of the wine. It was nice. The drink and the company. It felt easy. It was really nice actually, and she rather wanted it to carry on.

Her shy smile growing, and wine glass refilled as if by Magic she raised it to clink off the edge of Alfie's pint glass. "Plants over people definitely. I was never very good with people. Plants are my people I suppose." With a small sip and nodded and swallowed the smile that was stretching on her face now. This neighbour didn't seem so bad at all, infact his offer to drink and tell her about some of the students sounded pretty good, she just didn't want to seem too keen. In an attempt to downplay her almost idiotic grin she bit her overly perfect teeth into her painted lip just slightly "Thank you. I might have to take you up on it"

Pleased with the change of topic, something more personal and less work, she nodded and eyed him "Yes. Born and raised in Kensington. Well, there and here at term times I guess.." she added more sheepishly. With a slight frown she pursed her lips and hoped he wouldn't hold it against her. Although when he turned it back on himself, she did snort out a laugh.

"I'll try not to hold it against you. My ex was from just outside New York." she flashed him a smile and tried to keep her tone light, to mask the pain in her face. But her voice cracked just slightly on the word 'ex' and she ended up having to awkwardly clear her throat. Looking away from his face, she focused on her glass of wine instead and took another overly large sip. "Where are you from Alfie?"

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

The barkeep came by and dropped him off another beer. Alfie knew he’d have to stop after a second pint if he wanted to remain professional. Once he drank too much he wanted to smoke and drink some more. They clinked glasses and he felt his eyes trail down to meet her gaze. ”Please do. I love to talk shit about teenagers any chance.” he joked with a half smile. Okay, maybe it wasn’t only a joke. Something told him she was into it to.

”New York, huh?” he laughed, giving her a knowing nod of distaste, scrunching his nose a bit. ”I went to school in New York for a few years and hated it. Too much many cars and people are assholes.” he told her as he took a sip, before answering her question. ”I’m from Colorado, born and raised. Polar opposite from New York, so save the judgement. I’ll be your favorite American soon.” he promised her, meant to be taken more as a friendly comment but he knew it could be taken otherwise. The alcohol certainly loosened him up.

Alfie was trying to remain professional more than anything, but he was always a good listener and at being a friend. He had a feeling like Alora could be a pretty good friend, it didn't hurt that she was nice to look at. A pretty blonde continued to cross his mind though. Alfie took another sip of his beer before thoughtfully commenting, "This guy must have been a real dick if he's made you hate an entire nation." 

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Her small smile rueful as her half joked, Alora nodded in agreement and sipped some more of her wine. She was already enjoying spending time with him now, she would surely want more and not turn down the chance at it.

”Mm-hm” she quietly confirmed. For a moment she mulled it over, wondering how much she should tell him. How much details it would be polite to go into, what would cross a line. In reality likely all of it would be too much, and yet being with Alfie was easy. It made her subconsciously pull off the mask she’d had on for so long and freely let him know just how shit things had been to want her to completely change direction of her life. Though the wine likely helped.

”Sam was from upstate. But we lived in the city. The city was very different to here, to home. But I actually sort of liked it. So many people who didn’t know me. Weren’t watching me. I could be more myself I guess.” with a brief pause to sink some more of her wine she gave a small shrug ”That side of it I enjoyed. The anonymity. My grandmother was a devoted member of London and the Wider UKs Pureblood Aristocracy circles. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone is in everyone business. I was brought up in it. It was suffocating to a degree, so New York was nice like that I guess life was nice” her smile began to falter though as the direction in her thoughts changed. ”That was until one evening I came home and found some other woman in my bed, and then went on to learn not only had he been sleeping with her for like, months, she was pregnant too and yeah…” her voice grew quieter ”That’s when things changed I suppose. It’s only when your Current life is falling apart the anonymity turns to loneliness instead so I came home.…” although things weren’t Much better at home, she was just as alone. But Alfie didn’t need to know that.

Then realising she’d definitely over shared she clamped her mouth shut and gave him a grimace. Just to stop herself from saying anymore. ”So yknow if you want to become my favourite American the bar is pretty low expectations wise. Actually it’s basically on the floor Alfie”

With another frown it was obvious she was thinking for a second before admitting her ignorance ”Colorado….mountains??” her stupidity about the states were showing now, but she knew he wouldn’t judge her.
Laughing at herself she reached for the wine and waited for him to confirm or deny ”Interesting conditions for growing, no?”

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

His smile slowly stiffened, watching as her expression changed. He knew immediately that he said something that struck her. The only problem was, he couldn’t tell which yet. The copper haired beauty explained her current situation in a way Alfie was used to. He always had a way with opening people up with his nonjudgmental ways. It was a blessing and a curse. As she went on about her family being purists it went over his head, because his mother was a muggle. In his school days he dated a pureblood name Rose who’s family hated him from the beginning. People took it very seriously which was why he wasn’t quick to sharing being a werewolf. He wasn’t ashamed, just preferred not to fight for his own pride all the time.

Alfies expression softened, not quite prepared for the twists and turns of the story she shared with the help of wine. He was silent for a moment, allowing it to digest.

Alora seemed to regret sharing too much once the flood gates opened. She tried to turn the conversation back to him after trauma dumping, changing the subject to his beloved Colorado mountains and the growing conditions there. He just smiled and took a sip of his beer. ”Nope, you’re not going to just trauma dump on me like that and change the subject to Colorado.” he stated flatly, offering her a kind smile. A couple of years ago he probably would have went along with it, but the young lady in front of him had a broken smile. There were more layers than he could see, though he wasn’t sure how far back he wanted to peel with a new friend.

The man scratched the stubble on his chin, unable to comprehend the story fully just yet, ”Because that’s just fucked up. Like, really, really, fucked up.” he stated harshly, not trying to be funny, but he was validating her troubles. Alfie took a sip of his beer, already feeling like he was ready for a third after that sort of information. ”He’s a real asshole. I’m sorry you had to go through that and I completely understand why you would come back home.” he told her with a sigh. Alfie had gone through his own fair share of crushing heart ache in his days. It was one of the reasons he focused so deeply on work and studies, to keep a busy mind from thinking too much.

Ruffling his hair, he sank back into his chair a bit. ”A change of scenery will be good for you. You can keep your head down and put all of your energy into acquainting yourself with new work for a few months. Things will get better—and I know that sounds so fucking cliche-but it’s the truth.” Alfie told her, offering her a softer smile. He was trying to be a friend more than anything.

Alora Veda Astor

[/b][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Alora Veda Astor]

Her amber eyes rolled and her lips arched in a sardonic grin. ”No no Alfie, We’re done. I told you just so I can get it off my chest and let you know, purely because I feel we’ll be friends in the future and you should probably know about it. But no, we’ll shut that box now and leave it there” the laugh that escaped her was a low one. A sarky, half-assed laugh. Not true, but something just to lift the mood and let him know she wasn’t annoyed about it. Just a little something to cover up the bitterness she hoped.

”I know it’s fucked up-“ with a sigh she cut herself off for a moment ”I didn’t handle it well either when it happened. But anyway it’s fine now, I don’t really want to talk about it to be honest” with a more genuine smile at him, it was clear it was a battle she was barely winning. The smile was more tired than it had once been, but was still there; if barely.

Musing, she watched him with a small smile. ”Was that what brought you here then? To England I mean? The need for some change?”

It was Alora’s turn to pry now. As she watched him, she softened again, slightly more relaxed and with an easy wave of her hand, there was two more drinks in front of them. The drinks were free flowing, with a bit of luck, the conversation would continue as well. Her face took a more dreamlike look as she took in his features, her eyes and smile definitely more flirtatious. Her brain the comfortable hazy as she sipped her wine again.

Gone was professionalism now; whatever this was was much more fun.

alfie edward o'callaghan