poison ivy and daisies [esther]

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Late April 2028

Astrid had, to nobody's surprise but her own, picked up the guitar with ease. Her previous training on the cello translated well to the other string instrument, though she enjoyed the more laid back approach Alfie had taken with their lessons. He'd invited her round once a week the past six months to help her hone her skill, and after a few icy mishaps, Astrid had really gotten the hang of it. They'd had to reorganise their meetings more than once, especially when Astrid was travelling to assist with dragon breeding in New Zealand, and Alfie was busy with his herbology business. Astrid had said nothing when she'd figured out he was selling drugs, because it was no bother to her. Everyone had their vices.

Many of their evenings together ended with a cup of tea for Astrid and a beer for Alfie. They'd settled into a comfortable camaraderie, though Astrid sensed a string of tension between them. She hadn't immediately shut down the idea of getting to know Alfie on a different level - but she was still stung by Kal's abrupt departure from her life, even if it had been months ago now. Astrid was rather astounded to have made herself a friend, apart from Ana at least.

One afternoon in late April, as the Easter holidays wrapped up, Astrid was scheduled for a meeting with Charlie Weasley. They chatted about the new successful breeding programme that Astrid helped set up in the New Zealand mountains for Opal eyes, and how they could continue protecting young dragons and brooding mothers. It ended earlier than she had expected, and so Astrid had the brilliant idea to head over and surprise Alfie at his home. She pottered down the path to Hogsmeade, marvelling at how long it was and how Hogwarts students did this trek so often just to visit a little village. When she reached Alfie's door, and knocked twice. It swung open to reveal not Alfie- but quite possibly the most beautiful woman Astrid had ever seen.

Esther Garnet

[Esther Garnet]

A day off mid-week was rare these days, and having the flat to herself even rarer. Sprawled out reclining on the couch, Esther was indulging in a well-deserved break from her duties at Hogwarts. The television screen flickered before her, casting a soft glow on her features as she became engrossed in the dramatic twists and turns of daytime soap opera, ‘The Alley’.

Mindlessly, she shoved potato chips into her mouth one by one, as her vacant gaze remained fixed on the melodramatic saga unfolding on the screen. She gasped in mock surprise, her eyes widening as she watched a love triangle unfold with dramatic flair. She was more than content to indulge in the guilty pleasure of trashy television and salty snacks, and basking in the comfort of her own company. But then her peaceful afternoon of indulgence was abruptly interrupted by an unexpected knock on the door.

Setting aside the potato chip packet, the blonde rose from the couch and glided towards the door. She hadn’t been expecting any visitors, so there was an element of initial annoyance soon replaced by curiosity. Without delay, she gently turned the doorknob and swung the door open, revealing a pretty young blonde who she definitely hadn’t seen before. “Hello…” she greeted the woman inquisitively. “Can I help you?”

ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Having finished up her business at Hogwarts earlier than expected, Astrid decided to check in on Alfie. It was extremely rare for her to want to see someone at a time that had not previously been arranged, and meticulously planned. But Astrid was feeling rather wild today - perhaps it was the turn of the seasons? But as April blended almost seamlessly into May, with flowers blossoming and leaves blooming. She knocked firmly on Alfie’s door, with which she was well acquainted due to her guitar lessons over the past months.

Astrid had expected a rather dishevelled Alfie, as she imagined him on his days at home. Perhaps a lingering scent about him that spoke of his activities, which Astrid did not mind but also did not participate in. Instead, the door flung open and Astrid was faced with possibly the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen in her life. She had a soft and welcoming sort of face, though her brow was crumpled in confusion. Her blonde hair drifted about her in a non-existent breeze, and her deep blue eyes were so piercing that Astrid wondered if she was in fact looking into her soul.

Astrid made all of these observations in just a few moments, before clearing her throat. ”I was looking in on Alfie. Who are you?” she asked rather rudely, narrowing her eyes slightly in an attempt to seem more imposing. But the woman before her had a good few inches on her, and Astrid was completely gobsmacked by her beauty.

Esther Garnet

[Esther Garnet]

Esther arched an eyebrow, seemingly amused at first by Astrid's abrupt and rude question. A hand rested on her hip while the other held the door open, and she gave the woman a quick once-over from top to bottom, her head cocking slightly to the side curiously as she mulled over the attempted intimidation being conveyed with the stranger’s expression. It was clear that this visitor had expected to find Alfie, and seemed unimpressed that she hadn't, and Esther couldn't help but wonder about their relationship and what she was doing here.

"He’s not home.” she replied plainly, with a lazy shrug. If Alfie had bought his business back to their flat, and this was some kind of ‘deal’, Esther was gonna have to have some words with him, that was for sure.

The blonde's arms released and folded in front of her defensively as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other. “I’m Esther. I live here…” she told her, a slight upwards inflection made it almost sound like a question when really it came from confusion as to why someone would come to her home and demand to know who she was. “Should I take a message for you or something? Who are you?” she asked, a little more irritation to her tone building up.

ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Astrid rocked back on her heels, narrowing her eyes as she looked up at the willowy woman before her. She was beauty personified. Like Freyja had decided to walk the Earth in mortal form - at least, as Astrid imagined it. Something stirred within her, but instead of apologising for bothering the poor woman, she kept up her mask of cool indifference. "Will he be back soon?" asked Astrid sharply, not breaking eye contact with her.

Esther. And she lived here? In all the months that Astrid had been coming round for guitar lessons, Alfie had never once mentioned a flat mate. That was a girl. No, a stunning, divine woman. Astrid exhaled slowly, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I am Astrid. I am... a friend of Archie's. He has been giving me guitar lessons," said Astrid, reluctantly. "Will he be back soon?" she repeated, something in her wanting to linger and learn more about this Esther that had been kept from her.

Esther Garnet

[Esther Garnet]

Perplexed by the sudden arrival of this unknown blonde, her rather rude demeanour and the fact that she was looking for Alfie, Esther remained glued to the inside of the door as she held it there and stared at the woman with a brow slightly arched, wondering where on Earth this was going. She asked her if Alfie would be back soon, and Esther stifled a chuckle that sat like a lump in her throat. “I’m not a seer…” she responded casually, “Or his mother.”

Finally the blonde revealed herself as the woman that Alfie had been giving guitar lessons to. Her features softened a bit, mostly in surprise given that he had in fact mentioned this Astrid to her in passing, but he had failed to mention that she was a gorgeous blonde. Typical.

“Oh… You’re Astrid. Alfie told me about you… And your guitar lessons.” She gave the woman another once over, finding herself curious now about whatever relationship the two had going on. She stepped back a little, opening the space between them and holding the door open in a little more inviting fashion. “I don’t know when he’ll be back - maybe an hour or so? I can take a message for you…” She paused and then added, “Or you can wait here if you’d rather.” The opportunity to interrogate this young woman somehow seemed appealing enough that Esther would offer for her to stick around.

ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Astrid frowned as the beautiful blonde before her remained a thorn in her side. "Well, maybe not those things, but his keeper you most certainly are," said Astrid, her tone venomous and her ire rising despite the fact that it was Astrid who was demanding to be let into this young woman's home and she was perfectly allowed to deny Astrid entry. Astrid considered freezing her out, just to be petty, but she resisted. After a moment, Astrid shared that Alfie had been giving her guitar lessons, then asked once more if he would be back soon.

The way Esther had said guitar lessons raised the hairs on the back of Astrid's neck. As if she would be partaking in some activity other than learning another form of music. "Yes, guitar lessons," snapped Astrid, crossing her arms firmly over her chest. Esther then proposed she could take a message for Alfie, or Astrid could come in and wait. A part of her wanted to flee, to mull over this strange conversation in the solitude of her cabin in the Welsh countryside. But another part of her yearned to understand more about Alfie, and even more so about Esther, who was clearly an important part of Alfie's life if he lived with her. Even if Alfie had never mentioned her.

"I will wait." Astrid's tone was clipped. "Now are you going to allow me inside or will I have to perch on the front steps like a vagrant?" she asked, her nose wrinkling in distaste as the mental image formed.

Esther Garnet

[Esther Garnet]

Esther's attempt at composure seemed to flicker momentarily while she absorbed Astrid's sharp words. A subtle hint of perturbation crossed her features as she took in the woman’s tone - why on earth she had resolved to humour this stranger speaking to her that way (at her own home no less) up until now seemed to escape her in the moment, but it was probably the fact that it vaguely amused her.

Esther’s gaze held a touch of quiet contemplation as she regarded the young woman before her, but it wasn’t exactly a rare occurrence for someone to challenge her presence so directly. Sadly, it wouldn’t be the first time she’d been spoken to this way, especially when jealousy was concerned, which was the only thing she could put this whole interaction down to on a first impression.

"Keeper," Esther repeated softly, her head tilting to the side a little curiously. "Hardly…" Her lips then pressed together to acknowledge the woman’s emphasis on the words guitar lessons and a faint smile tugged at the corners to indicate her skepticism. "Right, well as I said, I’m not sure when he’ll be back," Esther replied, her tone holding a note of nonchalance. With a shrug, she held the door open wider, allowing Astrid passage into her cosy makeshift den designed for binge-watching bad tv. "No need for loitering. We wouldn't want to alert the authorities now, would we?"

ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON 

[ASTRID ALVA ABRAHAMSSON]

Astrid stared at Esther for a beat longer than strictly necessary. She wouldn't budge. Exhaling through her nose, Astrid admitted defeat. "Right," she said casually, taking a step back. "Well, I'm sure I'll run into you again," she added cooly. "Take care of yourself, Esther. I'll let Alfie know that I dropped by." Astrid didn't trust Esther for a second - and stranger still that she hadn't even known of her existence until about five minutes ago. Another question for Alfie. With a slight incline of her chin, Astrid turned and retreated down the lane, apparating back to her home.

-end Astrid-