line without a hook | nate

[evelyn rhea oliveira]

you can hold my hand if no one's home

do you like it when i'm away?

February 14, 2028
Nathaniel David Forrester

Evy’s first instinct was the protest. This was ridiculous. Perhaps in another time and place, she would be standing off to the side or perusing the familiar paths with Luna, their eyes narrowing in judgment at the mushy and cheesy sentiments that was Valentine’s Day. Or maybe not. Evy crossed her arms, slipping her phone back into her pocket. In fact, she hadn’t asked Luna if she would be attending this with Simon. Maybe love had softened her heart to accept such predictable things.

She crossed her arms, leaning against the giant wooden barrel that stuck out of the back of the Three Broomsticks. It was less crowded off the beaten path. She flipped through the pages of her notepad. As an intern at The Daily Prophet, it was her solemn duty to fetch tea, water, coffee, or whatever the journalists wanted. Sometimes she’d help with fact-checking or sorting through the letters the businesses sent about advertising. She didn’t work with the Quidditch journalists or even the investigative. At first, her heart sank, thinking it was some kind of unwanted group, but it was fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes when it came to political or international news.

But she was still an intern. This meant that if all the interns were busy, then whoever was free was put to work. This time she was one of three interns sent out to hang out at this festival or whatever it was all day. So, Evy smiled and said she was glad to do it. But as soon as she’d apparated here and seen the excessive amount of pink, she’d pulled out her phone and prayed to Merlin or whoever was listening that someone was free. And since she was in Hogsmeade, she checked to see if Nate was busy. They were pretty good friends now, and she wasn’t all the way in France anymore, which only left their work schedules to deal with.

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[Nathaniel David Forrester]

now you see me.

THE DEPARTMENT LET THE INTERNS GO EARLY. As if to reward them for making it alive and well during 'a day of love'. Where magical accidents went up by 4% according to the Department Head. Nate had his sneaking suspicions it was more because the boss fancied himself a romantic and wanted to get laid during the festival, that would surely make even the coldest of hearts feeling a little altruistic.

He was still in his Ministry robes when he Floo'ed out of the Ministry and landed in the Three Broomsticks. A line forming behind him so that he had to step aside to brush the dust from his one good set of robes, sharply casting his wand over the shoulders to double check he hadn't missed a smidge of soot. He hated the Floo system, but it beat waiting for the Apparation points on a holiday. The lines so congested it made his skin prickle to even think of it. He wasn't the only one eager to cast off his work load for the day.

As he made his way to the back of the pub, Nate didn't think twice about the fact that he was meeting Evy. Nor did he even consider the significance of 'Valentine's Day'. He wasn't exactly the affectionate type, in fact the holiday struck him as a bit of a farce. It just made sense, he and Evy often met after work. For a drink, for dinner, occasionally if he was lucky, for a sleepover. It had ticked over like that since she had graduated. An ease of routine Nate didn't realise he'd fallen into.

"Hey," Nate bent to press a quick kiss to Evy's cheek as he sidled up beside her. Peering over her shoulder carelessly as he leaned into her soft side. "This place reeks of rose water and... desperation." He wrinkled his nose, sticking his tongue out in disgust and and pulling his hands from his robe pockets. "You writing a tragic piece about the lonely singles?" He teased with a raised brow, draping a lazy arm around her shoulder with a tut. "Or, maybe you're here for a blind date...?" 

evelyn rhea oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[evelyn rhea oliveira]

you can hold my hand if no one's home

do you like it when i'm away?

February 14, 2028
Nathaniel David Forrester

Evy couldn’t stop the grin on her face. She never could. Somewhere between the beginning of last summer till now, it was what he would do. Once it had been meeting a need under the guise of celebrating her graduation or something else, a consistent thing began to embed itself in their lives. Not that either seemed to notice, care or acknowledge. It all moved at the perfect pace to fly under the radar, so to speak. She’d escaped her family and the wreck it had devolved into since moving in with Luna. Nate was often a visitor, but Evy preferred the privacy of his flat along with the decreased risk of another Nate and Simon incident.

”Hey.” She responded, agreeing with his immediate observation. ”Don’t forget the denial.” Evy added flatly, her eyes lingering on the “Speed-Dating” even sign where individuals were beginning to gather. They were easy to spot as they failed to casually sit alone at the bar nearby or with their drink. She wasn’t sure which was worse, those convinced that they could meet and determine the love of their life in ten minutes or less or the ones that had already planned out the next fifty years of their life with the person in front of them.

She raised a slight eyebrow at his question, looking up at him. Leaning into his side, something caught her eye. A tiny bit of soot just behind his neck on his robes. Evy’s hand moved up to brush it off as she spoke. ”I might be.” She looked back down to her notes while leaning into him a bit. ”I guess that leaves you as the only tragic single.” Evy commented casually, flipping a few pages. But the thought of a blind date made her wrinkle her nose and furrowed her brows in disgust. Clearly, she was not here for that.

”The day I willingly go on a blind date is the day I actually go blind.” At least she wasn’t stuck at this event by herself. ”One of the interns heard a rumor that Albus Potter was working one of the tables.” She looked up at Nate, surely notes or comments on that topic would put Evy above the other interns here when they turned in their notes. ”There’s a wager that he turned his Auror robes pink.”

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[Nathaniel David Forrester]

now you see me.

AT SOME POINT BETWEEN GRADUATION AND pulling Evy back into his orbit, Nate had forgotten what it was like to be alone. The awkwardness that came with unfamiliar proximity. He lost almost all of the stiffness in his posture, the suspicion in his gaze that made him look a little mean. Around Evy, he didn't flinch when her questing fingers dashed a line of soot from his neck. Leaning into it even, tilting his chin to give her better access. If only he could see himself then, his fingers twining easily around her wrist as she pulled away. A thumb finding her pulse in a quick caress before they separated.

"It'd be a best seller, I bet." He hummed, getting comfortable by her perch, a sly smirk on his mouth. "Misery loves company." A lift of his brows, a vague consideration that maybe that was why he was happy to sling his arm over Evy's shoulders. Unbuttoning the stiffer clasps of his robes and kicking out his legs in a lazy slouch beside her. "There's nothing tragic about this single." He quipped back, waving a hand at his grinning expression. Eyes alight with mirth as he took no immediate offence. He knew better.

"It's a good thing I've come to save you then." He mused, nodding his head as he cast an eye over the awkward event. Shuffling nerves, crinkling paper and far too many charmed nametags. "I'd hate for you to miss out on my tragic face, after all." He dipped his chi to whisper in her ear, enthralled as a lanky man with a mismatched suit narrowly avoided tripping over an errant chair leg. "Potter?" Nate barked a laugh, shifting his gaze back to Evy to check she was being serious. "When I think of 'romance'," Nate drawled, nose wrinkled. "The last thing getting me in the mood is that pint-sized castaway." He tutted, muttering Albus's name under his breath as if it was just too funny not to repeat. "I'd hate to see it." Except he probably wouldn't, as a miser sought misery. 

evelyn rhea oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[evelyn rhea oliveira]

you can hold my hand if no one's home

do you like it when i'm away?

February 14, 2028
Nathaniel David Forrester

As the pair observed their peers with judgmental gazes, they failed to recognize their actions. Evy felt comfortable nested into Nate’s side. The mere thought, let alone the act a year ago, left her remembering she had to breathe. And Nate hadn’t flinched when Evy’s fingers touched his neck. There was something to this ‘ignorance is bliss’ idea after all. She stifled a chuckle. What a day to remember one was tragically single. ”You’re a terrible liar, you know that?” The past year or so also came with a growing comfort and confidence as they allowed the other to mercilessly tease the other.

But Nate’s breath and voice so close to her ear never failed to send a delightful chill up her spine. ”I owe you one.” She responded, almost genuinely. But, she was, in fact, genuine in her response. This was a silly assignment for an overrated holiday, but it was either this or getting left behind at work. The other interns were an array of characters, but Evy also would rather dress up like Cupid and interview every person waiting for a blind date than hang back and cross paths with Jimmie on a day like this. It was enough. The bossy blonde looked over Evy’s shoulder every chance she got.

And Merlin knew it was an escape from the parts of her life she liked to leave compartmentalized. Now that she wasn’t at home, Evy didn’t have to deal with her wine-drunk mother, listen to some lecture from Callisto or find herself in the power struggle between Sarah and Mina. ”I don’t think anyone would disagree with you.” Evy added. The Potters were a famous lot and far too much energy as far as she was concerned. While the eldest was far less dreary than Albus, Evy could ignore those pretty eyes and flashy smile when she remembered he was too chatty.

”But, if its true…” Evy mused aloud. ”The Prophet will never print gossip, but as an aspiring journalist, I wouldn’t be doing my duty if I didn’t check.” Aside from the good ‘ol rumor mill, Witch Weekly probably wouldn’t mind a picture of Albus Potter in pink Auror robes. Evy glanced up mischievously at Nate before interlocking her fingers with his as she grabbed his hand as led him toward the exit.

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[Nathaniel David Forrester]

now you see me.

LEANING OUT FOR UNDER EVY'S FAMILIAR TOUCH Nate need not try and look offended. His brow creasing as he told her in no uncertain times. "I am a fantastic liar." He was quite sure of this, but Evy had a way of thinking far better of him than she should. He leaned back into her space, still a little miffed as he tried not to smile. Her company was so familiar to him now, that it was almost the same as being by himself. Her shoulder brushing his arm, the smell of her expensive shampoo tickling his nose when she leaned in closer as he whispered in her ear. For a second, the days troubles sort of eased out of his mind.

"I'll hold you to that," He promised her as he leaned away. Her expression was fond, dark eyes soft at the edges as she smiled up at him. For a second it gave him pause, as reality filtered in just to darken the horizon. He couldn't remember anyone ever looking at him like that. He cleared his throat and looked away, following the tragic crowd of desperate singles with his eyes. Better them, than he, he reminded himself.

Shrugging his shoulders, Nate snickered and imagined any Potter darkening the pathetic singles events. It was funny, considering they were practically celebrities. Although, he supposed their children weren't quite so infamous. Unless one included 'infamously lame' into their repertoire. He had no time for children with silver spoons in their mouths, thinking of their pretty ministry positions and their easy rides. Nate was so deep in accident reports he had papercuts on papercuts. He resented the mere mention of them on principle alone. Made easier only by making fun of at least one.

"Shall we make a few rounds then?" He mused, running a hand up Evy's arm and squeezing her shoulder absently. "Get a look and see if we can spot any knee-high wannabe Aurors in the vicinity?" He quirked his brows, teasing with the idea and also the prospect of a hot chocolate whiskey and maybe something to eat from the stalls. He hadn't eaten since the morning, he recalled with a new tension in his gut. 

evelyn rhea oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[evelyn rhea oliveira]

you can hold my hand if no one's home

do you like it when i'm away?

February 14, 2028
Nathaniel David Forrester

Evy believed him, but while she hadn’t figured out his tell, it didn’t mean she usually couldn’t pick up when he was holding back. Usually. Then again, they were far closer than in their school days, as if proximity had actually kept them apart. The familiar chill raised goosebumps on her arms with his voice close to her ear. If there was ever a way to distract her completely, Nate had figured that out long ago. But other aspects had changed.

Nate wasn’t so aloof with Evy these days, and she looked forward to seeing him. Even if Evy felt he’d been particularly acting like an ass. It never stopped her, and so it was familiar. She raised her eyebrows just slightly. Nate would certainly bring that up and never let her forget it. One didn’t make such promises lightly with Nate, not that Evy ever did. They giggle ridiculously in their corner of the world, oblivious to how easily they fit into this picture-perfect crowd. Now that she thought about it, Evy had yet to spot a single Potter. At a minimum, she expected the eldest finding yet another way to make himself the center of attention.

”Just until I have enough for work.” Evy gestured to her small notebook. Once she was done with this, then they could leave, but she knew she would kick herself if the rumor about Potter was true, and she’d left too early to see it for herself. The gossip at the paper would fly faster than those Ministry memos. Once, Mina had managed to get one of those memos to chase Callisto around when the kids were visiting their father at work. What a chaotic day that had been. Evy linked her arm through Nate’s and gave the speed dating corner another glance.

Anything was far better than watching that. Nobody looked particularly thrilled to be there. She could already feel the second-hand awkwardness and embarrassment for the attendees. Though as they walked by, Evy glanced a second time before someone tall blocked her view of a certain blonde and the neared the door and away from the group. ”Merlin—was that Slater? I never thought she’d be caught dead at one of these things.” The overachieving and headstrong girl had been a year ahead of Evy, though she had played Quidditch with Luna. Still—how the mighty have fallen.

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[Nathaniel David Forrester]

now you see me.

THEY WERE LIKE A COUPLE OF TITTERING HENS languishing in their corner. The wood catching on the fabric of Nate's robes, his chin dipped low as he and Evy exchanged easy barbs. It was too easy, too fun. Nate would question it later, when he was alone and a little melancholic from the garlic fumes. For the moment, he basked in the simplicity of picking apart desperate singles, pretending he had nothing better to do than share warmth with Evy like couples do on romantic holidays.

Looking down at Evy's notebook, Nate raised his brows in a mischievous quirk. Before Evy could clock on, he reached his arm around and snatched it from her hand, wrenching it out of reach as he tongued his cheek. "I'll proofread." He teased, tucking the notebook behind his back with a smirk so that she couldn't simply snatch it back. He was momentarily distracted by the mention of a Slater.

"Addilyn?!" He accused with a snort, turning his head swiftly to try and catch a glimpse of the chilly little Slytherin. He hadn't seen her in long enough, but figured he could pick her from a line up. It thrilled him to think he might see Slater nervously chittering on a date. The humiliation alone would be worth throwing a wave. "I thought the rumour was she was shagging that creepy McLaggen prat?" 

evelyn rhea oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[evelyn rhea oliveira]

you can hold my hand if no one's home

do you like it when i'm away?

February 14, 2028
Nathaniel David Forrester

”Hey—“ Nate had his fingers around her notebook before Evy could respond. It also wasn’t fair that his hands were far larger than hers, something she was always acutely aware of since her hand seemed to feel so safe in his. A subconscious thought, of course, since dating was hardly on Evy’s list of priorities these days. Between her work in a highly competitive field and, keeping her head barely above water and the depths of her family drama, she hardly had time for trivial things.

But Evy found her moment when Nate’s head turned suddenly toward the speed dating area. ”Jealous?” Evy teased with a raise of her brow. How many times had she spotted Nate with Slater in the corner of the Common Room, all but sweating as they painstakingly moved their chess pieces? And how many times had Evy seen one of the knights yawn loudly or a bishop nod off and almost fall over? ”The one with the camera, right?” She only remembered his height and youthful face like a puppy whose paws had outgrown it.

Evy took a few steps forward, letting her hands gently run from Nate’s chest to his midsection. ”You know Nate…” She kept her voice and her gaze low. ”The sooner I get these notes, the sooner I can leave.” Letting her hands slide like she was hugging him, she took the chance to reach for her notebook. Nate was a man who always had his guard up physically and otherwise. Over time, Evy found she was finding different ways around when needed.

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[Nathaniel David Forrester]

now you see me.

CRANING HIS NECK CURIOUSLY, NATE FOUND NO sign of ice blonde hair among the masses. Nothing remotely familiar or interesting about the couples sweating over their small talk. He frowned, rising up a little to double check as Evy pawed at his sides to try and retrieve her precious notebook. He scoffed without looking back at her, relaxing back against the wooden pillar with a smirk on his mouth.

"Yeah, 'course." He teased Evy back, the notion laughable even to him. He dropped his chin to look down at her, tip of his tongue resting on his bottom lip as he quirked his brows. "Does that make you jealous?" He wondered, tilting his head and pulling the notebook out from behind his back, but still just out of reach, "Like it was glued to his hand," Nate nodded. "Bet he's got a couple nasty little nudies on that film of his." He snorted, wiggling the notebook between his fingers absently before he brought it in front of him to flick through it, batting Evy away as he did.

Unfortunately, Evy quickly moved on to better, more persuasive measures to bend Nate to her will. Her soft hands a gentle, welcome pressure on his chest as she ran them to his shoulders pleasantly. Knowing just what she was attempting, Nate quickly switched the book from one hand to the other. He couldn't help the curl of his mouth, avoiding her eyes as he if he knew what he would find there. He cleared his throat gently,  stretching his arms out of reach before he wrapped them around her shoulders loosely, the book resting against her opposite shoulder.

"Is that so..." Nate drawled, dipping his chin so they were nose to nose as he pulled her into him. He teased a kiss on her mouth, sharing breath as he nudged her nose with his before leaning back. "Then I suppose you better get a move on," He muttered, tilting his head back with a lofty sigh as he brandished the notebook in front of her face like was presenting a sleight of hand card. "I'm bored," He told Evy around a yawn, shutting his eyes to emphasize his point. 

evelyn rhea oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[evelyn rhea oliveira]

you can hold my hand if no one's home

do you like it when i'm away?

February 14, 2028
Nathaniel David Forrester

Normally, Evy liked Nate’s height, but at this moment, she did not. Much like her older siblings used to do when she was younger, the item she wanted back was out of reach. She only stopped momentarily to scoff at Nate and the accusation of jealousy. ”Why on Earth would I be jealous of her?” Besides, Evy reminded herself. Jealousy was a want for something one did not have. And last she checked, Nate was here with her and not Addilyn Slater. She far preferred ‘territorial’ if she had to name it something, but right now, she just wanted her notebook returned.

Nate continued to taunt her by flipping through her notebook. It was full of notes. A lot of notes. Mostly in shorthand, as Evy practiced how journalists quickly wrote down information in their own cryptic ways. ”Not that they’d be of her.” Evy laughed. That Slater was a walking rule book, how she wasn’t chosen a Prefect was surprising but perhaps better for everyone as they didn’t need someone willing to take points from her own house rather than the houses of her dear friends. As far as the photographer went, Evy didn’t think he had it in him. Their interactions had been brief and only due to Jimmie Blishwick and her school paper.

Unfortunately, Evy’s plan to distract Nate had the opposite effect. His face closed in on hers, and she could’ve stopped breathing. But he pulled back, leaving an annoyed Evy glaring at him. ”You’re insufferable.” Evy grabbed her notebook before he changed his mind. She had half a mind to drag him magically by a belt loop, but instead, she began leaving the building. ”Remind me why I invited you again?” One way or another, she would complete this assignment, although Evy was already plotting how she might get her revenge later.

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[Nathaniel David Forrester]

now you see me.

STANDING TOE TO TOE, IT WAS ALMOST AS IF they were enemies facing off. Nate evasively holding his arms out of reach and Evy squaring her jaw at him defiantly, her eyes narrowed in challenge as she answered back as quickly as Nate had offered her. "I don't know, why would you?" He asked with a taunting tilt of his head, enjoying the frying flush that filled Evy's cheeks, offended at the mere notion. He was smirking openly now, tucking his hands behind his back and daring her to retaliate. It was the kind of back and forth they indulged in often, perhaps too often.

"You don't think she's putting out?" Nate teased further, noting the clever shorthand notes Evy took, pages upon pages, interrupted only by the odd doodle in the corner of pages. "I dunno, maybe we're underestimating his... naked charm." He mused, but there was a slight droll aftertaste. It was interesting, Nate noted as his eyes skimmed the pages briefly, intoxicating even to peek into that corner of her mind. She snatched for it again and he held it back out of reach, eyeing her teasingly.

Faces dangerously close, he could taste just the barest hint of mint and sweet sugar from her drink as he pulled away slowly. The booklet brandished like a hidden weapon, and hideous interruption. "You love it," He taunted, leaning back and gusting out a hearty sigh. "For my titillating conversation...?" He posed, casting a critical eye over a boy in a suit two sizes too small by the speed dating tables, pulling at his collar as if he were being choked. It was pathetic really. As if to prove himself as 'other', Nate busied himself by hooking an ankle around the back of Evy's calf and pulling her toward him again. "Take shorter notes and come back to mine," He offered her with a long, expectant stare. "Free pizza..." 

evelyn rhea oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[evelyn rhea oliveira]

you can hold my hand if no one's home

do you like it when i'm away?

February 14, 2028
Nathaniel David Forrester

Evy should’ve known he’d only prove an entirely unavoidable distraction. And nobody minded them or their conversation as they focused on the people before them. But not them, no, not Nathaniel and Evelyn because they were not an item, you see. They were not dumb enough to fall into that trap, just like the rest of these poor souls in the vicinity waiting to hand their hearts to the first available bidder. Evy scoffed the suggestion that she’d ever find a reason to envy anything regarding Addilyn Slater. What good were top marks outside of Hogwarts? She was just another paper-pushing intern like the rest of them.

”You’ve met her, haven’t you?” Evy shook her head. ”She’s probably asking that poor chap what NEWTs he received.” And not that she wanted to think about McLaggen as anything but a photographer, a rather tall bowtruckle holding a camera, if you will. ”Please don’t—I have to see him at work.” Her face cringed at the thought but returned to a look of determination as Nate kept her notebook just out of reach. At this point, she was willing to commit what she could to memory and leave him here, but naturally, he stopped her.

”Really now?” Evy asked. Why on Earth would anyone love this sort of adolescent playground behavior? ”What I would love is my notebook back.” And certainly not any conversation Nate was referring to. Properly frustrated, Evy began to leave but felt her foot blocked. Of course, Nate’s oversized foot would have easily blocked her much more petite frame. But Evy allowed herself to be led right back into his orbit—and face to face with him again.

”Hmm…and what happened to that happily tragic single man?” Evy asked softly with a curious brow. This request was a rare hand-off of control for Nate. Though she found it hard to decline, something about that look and the fact that he asked always pulled her toward him. ”Well—who can say no to that?” She responded after waiting a few moments. Rather than reach for the notebook, Evy placed her hand out. ”A half hour.” She needed her notes, a half hour, and then she was free—from this event at least, but not from this entanglement.

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[Nathaniel David Forrester]

now you see me.

THE LOOK EVY DEIGNED TO OFFER HIM WAS ONE he had seen before. A practiced lack of amusement, judging him for his almighty stupidity and salacious mouth without saying a single word to express as much. And yet, wildly, he understood her entirely. His own lips quirking in an answering smirk, her mind warring with the desire to answer him back, to tell him just how stupid she thought his teasing tongue was. He waited, enjoying the tension and the taunting like a cat with a mouse.

"I've met her," He said, though he remained vague. Nate knew Addy from many a Slytherin face off. He did not add that he had flirted with that kind of danger more than once, nor that he had enjoyed it when he did. That would be like adding fiendfyre to a perfectly orchestrated simmer. "And telling him all the ways she is superior, no doubt." He teased back, leaning in conspiratorially as he played sleight of hand with her precious notebook. "See him at work?" Nate taunted, lifting his brows and chewing on his cheek as he leaned in close, "Or see him at work." The unspoken filth of the insinuation teasing her.

Humming thoughtfully, Nate pretended to consider Evy's sharp demand before he switched hands and gave a quick flip through the obscured pages of notes. He'd already decided to give her it back, but he enjoyed the last few moments of torture before he caved. Stopping her storming frustration with a well placed foot and the book in full, though he knew she wasn't serious, even if she wasn't quite sure if she was or not.

"He's decided to chance his luck, evidently," He grinned at Evy from under hooded eyes. He was waiting for her to agree, almost as if he expected it before it came. It was a familiar game of back and forth, pulling and pushing. It was half of the reason he kept boomeranging back to Evy. It was easy, even when it wasn't. "You're on." He pressed his lips tightly together and slumped lazily against the support beam, arms crossed comfortably. Intently, he watched Evy scribble her notes, while imagining she was wearing nothing but that perfect little expensive self-inking quill, and her precious little notebook. It was riveting material after all. 

evelyn rhea oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[evelyn rhea oliveira]

you can hold my hand if no one's home

do you like it when i'm away?

February 14, 2028
Nathaniel David Forrester

Evy gave Nate a disgusted look. She was most certainly not interested in McLaggen. Even his mere awkward presence made Evy wish she had more boring articles on puffskein competitions to help fact-check. ”I’m not going to dignify that question with an answer.” She shook her head, offering him another look. Whatever was in the air at this charade of a festival had clearly begun to kill off whatever good brain cells he had left. Frustration got the best of her, however, and she decided this notebook was not worth it. Not that Nate would be able to decipher whatever was in there, it was her shorthand for work.

Finally, he acquiesced, though perhaps with her promise of a short waiting time. Part of her knew very well that he just liked to rile her up. And honestly, she sometimes liked it when he did. It made for a fun time all around. Evy knew she didn’t need the entire half hour, but Merlin, if she wasn’t going to use every last second up to that half hour simply to annoy him in return. ”Thank you.” She walked off, flipping to a fresh page as she scribbled previous observations that would save her some time. She was off to the races, but letting Nate wallow for the long half hour, he wasn’t the center of anyone’s attention.

She scribbled notes on the charmed heart candies and their disgusting phrases, though she noted a few that had been tampered with—offering less than kind phrases. She even spotted Albus Potter assisting an older woman, as the rumors suggested. But she scribbled quickly, ensuring she had enough material for a short article the following week. Checking her phone, she smirked walking back to the Three Broomsticks precisely on time and not a second too soon. ”See? All done.” Now they could leave.

[ end evy ]

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