linger [alfie]

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

september 2027

Astrid had taken to visiting the quaint village of Hogsmeade more often. Her work in dragonolgy often had her liaising with the MWRC as well as Charlie Weasley, and it kept her busy. Kept her mind at ease. Helped her forget that she was nursing a broken heart. She had cursed herself left, right and centre for allowing such a gentle giant in, only to make her look like a fool. So Astrid had volunteered for further activities, diving head first into her research. She'd finished a study of Swedish Shortsnout mating habits, having been surprised to find their similarities to the Ukranian species despite a sea and half a continent separating them. Astrid had been curious about the evolution into various different species of dragons, and vowed to herself that the only love she would keep would be that of these magnificent creatures.

What Astrid failed to recognise is that she kept returning to Hogsmeade in search of someone. She didn't acknowledge it consciously, but ever since she'd made his acquaintance months ago over a brew, he'd lingered around the peripherals of her mind. Astrid promised herself again and again that she was just looking for a friend, and that the cheery American had been all too willing to provide companionship. He'd been easy to talk to, if not slightly too excitable for her tastes. But she remembered the way his eyes crinkled and the deep belly laugh he offered when delighted. Astrid had never seen someone so wholeheartedly... happy.

It was a strange thing then that brought her to Hogsmeade this time. For most of Astrid's adult life, she'd defied her history in music. She hadn't touched an instrument in years, not since her family had shut her out owing to her magical nature. Astrid wouldn't trade her magic for the world - not her regular magic nor her ice magic. But there were times when she missed the hum of a bow on strings, the thrum of the vibrations through her body as she closed her eyes and just let herself feel. It was a breezy September day that found Astrid peering into Dominic Maestro's music shop. She gathered her courage and entered, her eyes darting from place to place, instrument to instrument. There was a gorgeous cello displayed in the window, and she briefly touched the wooden body. It was made from maple, as most cellos were. The varnish was gorgeous, gleaming in the weak autumn light. With a sigh, Astrid withdrew her hand and turned her gaze to the rest of the shop. What she had not expected, however, was to find someone she knew.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie found himself at the music store in Hogsmeade much more often than he'd like to admit. Today, his mission was broken guitar strings for his acoustic guitar. He was well aware that magic could repair strings but they just didn't sound the same to his trained ear. The vibration and pitch was always somehow off. So he made his way to his 'neighborhood' music store in pursuit of fresh strings and whatever else the store may offer that afternoon.

The bell chimed above Alfie's head as he entered the tiny music store lined with instruments and accessories from floor to ceiling. Immediately upon entering, he noticed the shopkeeper was helping another customer, and a somewhat familiar head of blonde hair admiring a cello hung on the wall. That was Astrid from the pub, many months ago. Often he found himself thinking of her, kicking himself for never grabbing her information when he had the chance since she had such a long lasting impression on him. It seemed the universe was giving him another chance. Alfie took a couple of steps toward her and stopped in front of the beautiful wooden instruments.

Clearing his throat, "Well, Cellooo there" he dramatized the 'hello' more surprisingly, in his own Alfie way. He snorted at the ridiculousness. His hazel eyes flickered with amusement at his own joke, "I was wondering if I'd ever see you again.." Alfie admitted with a slow growing smile. There was a part of him that wanted to reach out for a hug but he wasn't sure if that was proper. Somehow he was always the over affectionate American.


ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Astrid admired the cello, letting the memories of her youth wash over her. She would allow herself this moment to reminisce, to wonder what it would have been like if things had been different. She wouldn't trade her magic for anything, but she would have loved to have been supported by her family. With a sigh, Astrid stepped away from the cello and turned. She hadn't expected to see anyone else in the shop save for the shop keeper, let alone Alfie.

Cheeks flaming, Astrid offered a small smile that dissolved into a laugh. "Smooth," she said, grinning at Alfie. The shopkeeper shuffled away, letting the pair mingle in privacy. "It's good to see you again," said Astrid softly, not admitting just how pleased she was to see him. She'd wondered what he'd gotten up to in the months since their previous meeting. She'd almost been certain she wouldn't find the chirpy American in this life ever again.

Clasping her hands in front of her for something to do with them, Astrid glanced around the shop. "Do you play?" she asked, her gaze landing on Alfie's. She appraised his features, memorising the hollowness to his cheeks, the slight stubble growing on his jaw, the straight line of his nose. Here was a man before her, someone who was kind and friendly and affectionate. In some ways, he reminded Astrid of Kal. But in more ways, he was completely different. And refreshing.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie was pleased to see the pleasant surprise on Astrids face as she recognized him. Though he already regretted the cello joke but she smiled and his grew, more proudly. ”Likewise.” he agreed easily, truly happy to see her. If he had a tail it would surely be wagging. As the blonde asked if he played, he tilted his head to the side. ”Not  really.” the wolf admitted with a laugh. ”Can probably get by with some "Hot Cross Buns", but that’s about it. More of a guitar player myself.” he shared with a laugh. Back in the day he remembered his mother always teaching him that song when learning a new instrument. ”I'm here for some strings.” Alfie plucked them off of a spinning display he was all too familiar with and gave them a little shake. Gesturing back to the cello on the wall, "Do you play?" she looked like she could be a cellist, or pianist, or maybe harp.

A flicker of interest crossed his face as he met Astrids gaze. His stomach flared with a more happy feeling, eyes roving the planes of her face, noticing how her hair glowed as the sunlight casted through the window behind her. A very angelic glow. "You look like you're doing well." he said with a smile. Realizing he was thinking out loud. "What have you been getting yourself into lately?" Alfie asked curiously, hoping to get some sort of glimpse into her life. As well as her phone number.

ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON  

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

There was a moment in which both Astrid and Alfie smiled rather dumbly at one another. She broke the silence, stating that it was good to see him again, to which Alfie agreed hastily. Glancing back at the cello, she wondered if Alfie played. His cello joke was good enough for her anyways. "Guitar is a noble instrument in itself," she commented with a smirk. "So mainstream though," she added with a laugh. Who was she to judge? Her parents made their living playing cello - was that not commercial enough for her?

It was only natural for Archie to ask Astrid if she played, and the colour drained from her face. She dropped his gaze. "Not anymore," she replied, closing the subject before he could ask any more questions. "A guitar playing herbologist. Though I hear you're no longer at the school. Have you gone off to start your own business singing to stems to encourage growth?" asked Astrid, still dutifully examining the spinning display with strings that Alfie had jostled. She didn't expound on why she knew that Alfie had quit his teaching job - she didn't reveal that she had sought him out on the grounds only to find him replaced with a very pretty red haired woman who was a far cry from Alfie and his golden retriever demeanour.

After a long moment, Astrid forced herself to look back at Alfie. She hadn't meant to be rude, but she knew she had come off as such. However, Alfie plowed on as if nothing had happened. "And you," said Astrid, the colour rising in her cheeks as she brushed a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. "Have you been working out?" she joked, stifling a grin. "A bit of this, a bit of that. Been studying a thunder of Ironbellies lately - can you believe that a group of dragons is called a thunder?" she added mildly. "One of the females is expecting a brood soon, and I'm looking forward to it. Though they're very vicious and protective, expectant mothers. Can't relate," she added dryly.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie smile spread when she stated that guitar was a mainstream instrument. Well, he didn’t disagree with her. But he also didn’t think people played as well as him. Astrid shared that she used to play cello, so past tense. He could picture her, a beautiful lady, playing a beautiful instrument. Alfie nodded, tilting his head curiously, ”Oh, so you’re a quitter..” he teased, sending her a judgey raised eyebrow her way.

A bit of surprise crossed his face as she explained she knew he wasn’t working at the school anymore. He gave her the tiniest of shoulder nudges, ”So, you were you lookin’ for me, huh?” he asked with a hint of flattery, ending with a boyish smile. Alfie wasn’t sure if he wanted to go into full details to why he didn’t want to teach at the school anymore. Truthfully, there was a bit of PTSD from seeing students die right before his very eyes. His heart couldn’t take it. Ruffling his hair, he carefully found Astrids gaze. ”I decided not to return to teaching when the new school opened. I’ve been operating my own greenhouse to supply to local apothecaries and the schools instead.” he shared. Not sharing the illegally supplying the underground part…that was where he got most of his money which made it worth it to quit teaching.

Alfie listened intently as Astrid went on about dragons. The excitement and passion making him smile as he watch her plush lips move, he hung onto each and every word. His eyes narrowed, ”Ha-You make fun of me for being a guitar playing Herbologist, but you’re just as much a dragon lady..” he teased, shaking his head from side to side. If only she knew that he was a guitar playing Herbologist who also happened to be a werewolf. It sounded like some sort of cheesy folklore.

Turning to Astrid his eyes attempted to meet her gaze, "I fucked up by not getting your number when I met you. Am I too late now?" he asked with a playful smile, willing to make fun of himself. Alfie knew he fucked up as soon as he left the pub that day, today would be a second chance that he'd take. He just wasn't very smooth with those sort of things, but he was very intentional.

ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Astrid's jaw tightened a fraction, but she said nothing more on the subject of still playing cello. She hadn't spoken to anyone about her family in years, not even Ana. She'd hardly mentioned it to Kal whilst they'd been together as well, and now that was dead and in the ground, Astrid felt the anxiety surrounding her structured upbringing linger over her. She thought she'd been able to move past them, their denial of her truth. Instead of replying, Astrid changed the subject.

The tension rolled out of Astrid as easily as the colour rose in her cheeks. Of course she'd been looking for Alfie. "Should have known I wouldn't find you. Couldn't pick out an American accent anywhere on campus," said Astrid with a wry smile. She listened attentively as Alfie explained why he wasn't keen on returning to Hogwarts, instead opening his own business. Astrid's gaze flickered to him, and her smile widened. "That's very ambitious. And... you've been successful?" asked Astrid. She'd not been the sort to strike up her own things, instead more than happy to volunteer her time to well established and time honoured traditions. Hence, why she'd taken up some breeding research at MWRC. Not at all to have a chance to visit Hogsmeade and her many inhabitants.

Astrid had a tendency to flap on when she got on the topic of dragons. She mastered her face, and arched a brow. "Mine bite back," she said, her lips twitching as she fought a smug look. "We will... agree to disagree. That is how you say it, yes?" asked Astrid, tilting her head in question. She was taken aback by the sudden and bold behaviour Alfie exhibited next - straight up asking for her number. "Oh. Yes, no that is fine," said Astrid, holding out a hand to take his phone. She tapped in her mobile, rang it from his phone, and promptly hung up. "There. Now you can message me at all hours and update me on your plant lullabies. I will not answer though. I don't think," she added dryly.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie nodded proudly when Astrid asked if he had been successful in his new business endeavors. He sure felt like he had been. It was a nice feeling working for himself and doing what he wanted to do every day. As much as he missed teaching, he knew he'd be able to help Alora out around the greenhouses at the school whenever she needed it. "Actually? Yes. Very. Makes me wish I have started sooner." he shared. Alfie still felt guilty for not returning to the school. He knew he promised some students he'd be back, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. "I miss teaching already but I'm sure I'll find my way back eventually if I really want to."

The Herbologist willingly handed over his cellphone as Astrid reached with grabby hands. She followed by punching in her info and calling herself so that she would have his number. He was proud of himself for asking. Hell, he wished it was always that easy to ask for a females number. Alfie offered Astrid a smile as she stated she probably wouldn't pick up for his plant lullabies. He nodded along with her. "Voice mail will do just fine, I can talk to that..” He agreed, tone oiled with sarcasm as his face played along. His head tilted to the side, "But, what if it’s a sonata about a baby dragon? Then would you wanna pick up?” he challenged her with a twinkle in his eye, quite enjoying their simple banter. 

Alfie picked up an acoustic guitar hung on display and gave it a little strum. His face strained from the flat sound it emitted, so he twisted the pegs around the neck a bit. "If you don't play cello anymore, what brings you in here today anyways?" he asked her more conversationally. Maybe she was a window shopper. Maybe she got a feeling to go in the music shop that day... Whatever it was, he was happy to strike up an easy conversation with Astrid again.

ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Astrid's spine straightened and her eyes widened in surprise at Alfie's admission. She had expected a half hearted reply, a claim that happiness was better than success. That was something that Astrid knew first hand. But his eager response, his easy declaration that he was in fact performing well with his new endeavour, it brought a smile to her face. "Oh! That's wonderful," said Astrid softly. She reached out to grasp Alfie's arm in congratulations, but thought better of it, letting it swing back to her side rather awkwardly. She managed to salvage the moment when Alfie asked for her number, and Astrid willingly obliged.

An easy smile spread across Astrid's face as Alfie replied to her tease. There was something so effortless about speaking with him, knowing that he could make her laugh in an instant. It was a rare feat, something only Kal had managed in the past. And despite the ache in her heart that things were over with him, Astrid felt more clear headed and hopeful than she had in the past month. It was refreshing - perhaps the change of scenery was doing her some good. "Might get rather tedious after a while, you'll have to switch back to your plants," said Astrid after a moment. She tapped her chin thoughtfully at Alfie's proposal. "I'd consider it," she admitted. "But I would need advance notice. A text, and then a phone call. Otherwise, straight to voicemail."

Astrid watched with an experts gaze as Alfie strummed the guitar, cringed, and fiddled with the pegs to bring the guitar to tune. Why had she come in here? Astrid remained silent as she watched Alfie tune the guitar, testing after every few twists of the keys. She had been missing music in her life, the steady hum of a bow on strings. But she knew she didn't want to pick up the cello again. Despite having seen a gorgeous one in the window, the instrument didn't call to her anymore. "I don't know," said Astrid softly, her gaze still on the guitar in Alfie's hands. "I think I was... looking for something." Her eyes flickered up to meet his. "I miss it, sometimes. But it does not call to me anymore. But I have the... craving. To play," she explained haltingly, trying to put words to her feelings.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie realized how much he enjoyed Astrids presence after a second short interaction with the blonde. Not only was she gorgeous, she was easy to talk to and quite funny. The banter between them was effortless. She reminded him of Esther in some ways, which was unsettling in some ways, but there was also a longing deep in his stomach. Alfie pushed that aside. Realizing those feelings were too deep for a quick visit to the music store.

Astrid explained her woes of playing music and he nodded understandingly. As a teen he leaned about every stringed instrument under the sun because he craved the desire to learn and play well. Tilting his head, he smiled, ”How about channeling that craving into learning how to play something new?” he asked, setting the display guitar down in his designated spot, ”You’re in the perfect place to strike inspiration..” he gestured to a beautifully crafted violin, and a viola. 

Gaping slightly, ”Bet you'd play a mean triangle.” he nodded, giving the said instrument a strike with a rhythmic disco head bob.

ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Astrid offered Alfie a smile at his kindness and openness. She hadn't met anyone as friendly as he in a long time. In some ways, he reminded Astrid of Kal. A man who wore his heart and his feelings on his sleeve. But Astrid didn't like thinking about Kal, as it made her uncharacteristically sad. For all the things that had happened in her life - her parents vehement rejection of her magical powers, her need to hide her cryomancy to live any semblance of a normal life, and then Kal's ultimate betrayal and dismissal - Astrid didn't want to open herself to heartbreak again. Not even that, but she didn't even know if she could handle making a new friend. The only person in the world she trusted was Ana. And dragons.

Alfie made it so easy, with his dimpled grin and bright eyes. "Are you offering to teach me?" asked Astrid, quirking a brow. "I would perhaps enjoy learning guitar. Or piano," she added thoughtfully. "Let's get the band back together," said Astrid dryly, unable to contain the smirk that stretched across her lips. "Besides, think my talent is a bit beyond a triangle."

Astrid turned from Alfie at this point, drifting away to the guitar section. An acoustic guitar with a reddish finish that faded to black around the edges with a black pick guard caught her attention and she lifted it from the display. She gave an experiential strum and flinched. To her well trained ear, Astrid could tell that it was out of tune. "Help me tune it," she directed to Alfie, glancing up at him as she did so.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Astrid asked him if he was offering to teach her how to play guitar and he cocked his head to the side with a laugh. That was a great idea. It would be a great reason to hang out with his new friend. ”Yeah! I can teach you how to play guitar." he agreed eagerly. Alfie nodded with approval as Astrid lifted the guitar, her hotness raising off the charts. An eyebrow quirked in her direction. ”Hey, guitar is a great look on ya." he continued the approving bob of a nod until she she gave it a hearty strum. The instrument let out an off tune vibration that caused him to involuntarily scowl.

Chuckling, he reached for the instrument, happy to oblige to her request of a tune. Alfie gripped the neck and adjusted the pegs with skillful motions and a couple of rhythmic strums. "That should do it." he said with a smile, extending it back to the blonde, while dutifully and gently adjusting her grip on the instrument. ”Alright. Well, give it a good ol’ strum, give it some feeling..” Alfie told her eagerly. He wasn't expecting anything great, yet.

ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Alfie's compliments came easily, and Astrid's face flushed with heat. "Imagine when I am actually good," she replied with a slight smile. She slipped the strap over her shoulder and adjusted it accordingly. As instructed, she gave the instrument a strum and grinned. Alfie had tuned it just right, and the vibrations that resounded around the pair were immaculate. Her smile turned to Alfie, her eyes alight with joy. "I didn't realise how much I missed music," said Astrid quietly, giving the guitar another experimental strum. There was no real rhythm, but her soul felt settled just at the thought of learning more about the instrument.

On the third strum, it happened. It had been so long since Astrid had gotten so lost in something, she'd forgotten to tamp down on her powers. Frost spread from her fingertips and onto the pick guard. It skittered up the strings, snapping the last one she'd touched. "Helvete," she swore, nearly dropping the guitar in her haste to get the instrument to safety. "Take it," she instructed Alfie, holding her hands up and dropping her head so he could take the guitar from her. She sighed sharply, exhaling through her nose in disgust. How could she let herself lose control so easily.

"I am sorry. I did not mean..." said Astrid, stumbling over her words. She looked around the shop, but the keeper was still wildly disinterested. She chewed on the inside of her cheek, nervously wringing her hands as she waited for Alfie to replace the guitar on the display and go running for the hills, what with that show of unnaturalness.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

The blonde gave the guitar a hearty strum. Alfie couldn’t help but smile as her face lit up from the sound it emitted, giving his own an accompanying strum and head bob.

A cool breeze wafted past his face, causing the curls on his head to ruffle and the hairs on the back of his neck to stand at full attention. The string appeared to break from a ~snowflake.

Alfie’s head quirked to the side, frozen speechless as the gears in his head slowly conveyed what had happened before his very eyes. That was magic, but he had never seen anything like that. He could tell by the morified look on Astrids face that it had to be an accident.

”Oh-” Alfie laughed awkwardly, quickly grabbing the guitar from her hands after she instructed him to. Alfie inspected it with a baffled look, noticing remains of frost lightly kissed down the neck of the guitar, as well as the culprit broken string sticking out like a wire.

Shaking his head back and forth quickly at the discomfort on her face, ”Er-no-no need to be sorry-” he insisted quickly, feeling the awkwardness starting to creep in. Alfie waved a hand over the broken string and it strung itself back together with a dull twang, quickly setting it back down without the shop keeper noticing. Swallowing, he scratched the nape of his neck, ”But-uh-I’m a Muggleborn who still often falls victim to the mind fuckery of the wizarding world..” Alfie admitted before quickly continuing. ”What the hell was that?” Alfie asked her with a slightly confused look but ended with a laugh. He didn’t want to make her feel bad about it but he was truly intrigued.

ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Thankfully, Alfie took the guitar before more ice could skitter up the neck of the guitar and snap more strings. Astrid hadn't even thought about her ice in months, so dormant the power had been. Her face had drained of colour as she swore, and looked guiltily at Alfie. Astrid had shown two people her uncommon skill in the past, and both had been by choice. First had been Kal, who had been delighted by it. Shame that didn't last. The second person was Ana, who was as good as a sister as anything - she'd known Astrid for many years, and therefore took this difference in stride.

Alfie, however, was neither her lover nor her best friend. He was just a man who happened to be kind. Another person to point out the glaring differences between herself and the people around her. Astrid's stomach dropped as Alfie laughed, then said she didn't need to be sorry. Astrid cringed, dropping his gaze. "It sometimes happens, when I don't concentrate," said Astrid sharply, rubbing her hands against her biceps. Suddenly, the air seemed to feel like it had been swept from the room.

Sighing deeply, Astrid managed to force herself to look back at Alfie. "I am a muggleborn too. I do not know why I have... this..." she held out her hands, palms up. "It happened first many years ago in the forests of Sweden. Now I can mostly control it, unless I lose concentration," she admitted, glancing around the shop. "I must be more careful. I must make sure it does not happen without my permission," Astrid added tartly. "I think I will have to buy this guitar now. What do they say in America? You break it you buy it?" Astrid scrounged about in her bag for a few galleons, frowning at how light her purse would be after the purchase. But it was worth it - to get out of this situation mostly unscathed.

alfie edward o'callaghan