dinner & diatribes | juniper

[rhys alexander greyback]

i'd suffer hell if you'd tell me

what you'd do to me tonight

August 25, 2028
juniper minerva mcgonagall

There was an equal amount of shock on everyone’s faces when Nell suddenly departed for the restroom. Rhys was about to ask if she was all right, but Dahlia interrupted him, blurting out a question. Thankfully, Rhys hadn’t taken the sip of beer he’d gone for, or it most certainly would have come out his noise out of shock. Archer, however, was not as lucky as half his stein seemed to go down the wrong pipe. Coughing, he looked fully shocked. ’Wh—‘ He continued to cough. ’What in Merlin’s—‘ It didn’t look like Archer was going to die, but Rhys couldn’t tell if the flush in his face was due to almost drowning or the question itself.

Rhys felt equally shocked, although for different reasons. What had Juniper whispered in his sister’s ear? Rhys was returned from his stupor by Juni’s elbow in his side. Furrowing his brow, he shook his head. ”No..no. That doesn’t prove anything.” He mumbled, drinking more beer. There was still no confession. Nell wasn’t here, but Archer finally seemed to catch his breath. Grumbling, he sighed and looked at Juni. ”Can you go check on Nell, please?” On one hand, Rhys was concerned about his oldest friend, and on the other, he didn’t want to deal with a gloating Juniper at the moment and the possibility of losing his galleons.

But Rhys also couldn’t help himself. ”So…are you?” Piercing blue eyes landed on Archer, who only seemed disgruntled by how he rolled his eyes. ’Where is this coming from? You jealous or something?’ Rhys scoffed at the notion. ”What are you—she’s my best friend. No.” Now, if Nell was dating someone and suddenly never spoke to Rhys, that would be different, but any notion of anything past platonic had left his system around the beginning of his fourth year or so. But this time, it was Archer’s turn to laugh, and just as Rhys caught the girls returning out of the corner of his eye. ’Please—like that’s ever stopped you before, mate.’ Rhys glared hard at Archer; he didn’t want all his secrets aired like that, especially since not everyone at the table was privy. So, just as before, Rhys backed off. Shaking his head he poured them both a hefty amount of whisky. ”Just—shut up and drink.”

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Juniper was glad that she wasn’t the only one shocked by the sudden question Dahlia asked. While it had been what she intended, she also didn’t think it would be as easy as it had been to orchestrate. Dahlia was the perfect avatar for directing her own questions without drawing ire from the rest of the group. While she got along with everyone there, Juniper also knew that she was also currently just the friends with benefits of Rhys again. Not that the rest knew. Her existence within the group wasn’t a permanent situation like it once had been.

Archer had choked on his drink though, a look of horror on his face following Dahlia’s question. Maybe it had been a tad too blunt, but it worked. Rhys didn’t seem to think this was confirmation though, despite everything they had just witnessed. He almost seemed angry that she could win the bet and asked her to go check on Nell. Slightly frustrated at this, she stood up. ”She’s probably just using the loo,” Juniper stated matter-of-factly before leaving the table.

Trying to push through the thick crowd seemed easier than it actually was, and approaching the wall of bodies that lead towards the restrooms made her shrink back slightly. She had the ability, and voice, to make people move, but it was annoying having to be stern during her free time. ’McGonagall!,’ she heard over the din of voices. Immediately, she knew it was Chambers again. Why was he so damn insistent? Seeing him waving from a few feet away (and several bodies deep in the throng), Juniper gave the same half-wave she had earlier and used that as her chance to start going towards the bathrooms. She did not want to be stopped by him.

Quickly checking the restrooms, Nell didn’t seem to be there. Juniper looped around the bar, wondering if she’d excused herself there for an extra shot or two in silence, but there weren’t any signs of her there either. Doing a large circle around the pub, mostly to avoid Chambers who was continuously trying to catch up to her by pushing through the crowd, Juniper ended up by the front entrance and decided to peek out the door. The warm rush of August humidity hit her in the face as she stepped all the way outside. Nell was a few feet away, aggressively puffing on a cigarette.

Juniper decided to let her be because it looked like she had escaped for a reason. No need to bother that. Making her way back inside, Chambers had somehow found his way to the door. ”Nice to see you Elliot, but I really need to get back to my friends,” Juniper cut him off before he could say anything, zipping by him with his mouth left hanging open. She quickly made her way back to the table and returned to her seat, expectantly looking at Rhys to see what she had missed. ”Nell’s outside smoking. I think she’s fine,” she said while picking up her stein to drink. If fine was looking like she was trying to get her nerves in order. That more suited the Ollivander.

rhys alexander greyback ● 529

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[rhys alexander greyback]

i'd suffer hell if you'd tell me

what you'd do to me tonight

August 25, 2028
juniper minerva mcgonagall

That would have been Rhys’ second guess on where Nell had disappeared. It was rare to find an Ollivander without a cigarette. Juniper had missed the back-and-forth between Rhys and Archer as both consumed more whisky. Rhys shook his head, not wanting to lose his galleons but also knowing Archer could change the topic quite easily with whatever knowledge he had on Rhys at this point. Slouching in his chair a bit, Rhys crossed his arms. Something was missing; Rhys had felt it all night, but the fact that he and Archer had been mere seconds from throwing one another onto the table helped him figure it out.

”This would’ve been the part where Saff would’ve told Arch and me to shut up and drink before she knocked our heads together.” Part of his mouth upturned into a wistful smile. Archer nodded while staring at the table. Five years felt like yesterday. And God, she would have loved watching Dahlia try to get Archer into a headlock. But Rhys didn’t want to linger on sad thoughts when he wasn’t sober. ”I think you would’ve liked her, Dahlia.” Maybe not at first, but just as Rhys did—one quickly grew used to her energy.

With Sage, Rhys sometimes saw things that reminded him of Saffron, but other times, it was obvious how the identical twins differed. Still, Rhys knew that after beating him to within an inch of his life, she would have loved spending time with her niece—his daughter. A few moments later, a new waitress appeared popping in between Rhys and Dahlia while bringing the chips previously ordered. For whatever reason, the basket was paced in front of Rhys and he gave a quick smile and nodded. Before Dahlia could steal the basket, Rhys grabbed a few. He should probably eat at some point but he drank more beer instead.

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It was inevitable that Saffron would eventually be brought up throughout the night. She was missing after all. The alcohol didn’t help at all, and she took a long sip of her pint before refilling it to the brim. There was no telling how all of their lives would have played out had things gone differently. Saffron had fit seamlessly in with all of them, and as Rhys aptly pointed out, she would have definitely liked Dahlia. There was enough of that wildness to the other Greyback that would have scratched the Gryffindor itch that Saff had. Five years had already passed since then, the same amount of time that they had been friends for. The intensity that Saffron had brought while at Hogwarts had been intimidating and, in Juniper’s opinion, completely reckless. Once Rhys had re-introduced them during his training though, she realized how wrong she had been the whole time. She wished they had been friends during school. All that wasted time…

The basket of chips had been brought over to the table while she thought about all of this, Dahlia snatching it out from underneath her brother only after he managed to get a few for himself. ’You can go get your own. I am sure she will give them to you for free if your flirt enough with her, mister birthday.’ There was a feral tone in her statement, that Juniper had only ever witnessed in food motivated animals. She rolled her eyes at the second half of the comment. Unfortunately, she knew that was probably true. Only Rhys could pull that off. She would have offered herself to go up there but didn’t want to have to wade through the bodies or deflect Chambers again. The feeling of eyes boring into the back of her skull told her that he was still keeping an eye on her. Gross and creepy.

”Next time we get drinks, we can get an order for the whole table,” she nudged Rhys with her elbow. At some point, they were going to have to set up a way to secretly spy on Archer and Nell’s interactions with one another. Pulling out her phone, she quickly texted him, ’next time Dahlia goes to the loo, we can go up to the bar together and watch the other two’. That seemed like a solid plan to her, just finding the timing to do so involved Nell to return from her marathon smoke session and Dahlia to wander off. Whether or not the two would interact the way she thought they would in public was what she really wanted to find out tonight.

rhys alexander greyback ● 440

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[rhys alexander greyback]

i'd suffer hell if you'd tell me

what you'd do to me tonight

August 25, 2028
juniper minerva mcgonagall

Rhys rolled his eyes. It wasn’t like he was asking for this attention, at least not that night. ”You act like you never get free drinks.” Despite different mothers and different countries, Rhys and Dahlia were two apples that hadn’t fallen far from the tree. Cursebreakers who wanted the adrenaline and the challenge, stubborn enough to do it and then drink endlessly afterward without or without a friend. Not to mention, they always had one another’s backs in a bar fight. Rhys had gotten better about that—it almost felt like some remnant of his youth—fighting like that.

A little drunkenly, Rhys’ whole head turned when Juniper nudged him. More drinks sounded like an excellent idea. His brain was not processing for ulterior motives, but feeling the phone buzz in his pocket, Rhys slowly reached for it, needing a moment for his eyes to focus on the screen. One too many concussions and exposure to very bright spells meant Rhys should’ve been wearing the glasses he conveniently left at home. But he put his phone away without trouble.

”We’re on our last pitcher if you want to head up there now.” Rhys skimmed the message and drained his glass. He’d lost count at some point, but he never kept track. The crowd at the bar was typical for a Friday night, so ordering would take some time as well. And now that he’d eaten a few of Dahlia’s chips, he wanted his own. ”C’mon—you can glare at anyone that tries to talk to me.” Rhys teased while standing and waiting for Juniper to join him.

Their friends-with-benefits situation was private, but they had the advantage of having dated for seven years previously. Nobody blinked twice when they spoke to one another like this. Well, at least from their friend groups. Gossiping among the students was a whole other thing. As Rhys entered the crowd, he instinctively grabbed Juniper’s hand again so they wouldn’t get separated. Plus, Rhys was having difficulty getting through, let alone Juniper. Nearing the bar, he put her in front of him. It was easy to get pushed by the rowdy crowd. With this much alcohol in his system, Rhys’s brain easily wandered as they waited to get a bartender’s attention.

Slowly, Rhys wrapped his arms loosely around her middle. Mainly to bring her close to him. That was the thing with their private arrangement. He couldn’t do this when he wanted. Rhys spoke low, soft enough that nobody would tune in but loud enough to distinguish from their neighbors. ”You’re coming over later, right?” He waited for an answer, lingering there a few moments, wondering if it would be so bad if they snuck off early. Rhys could care less about what Nell and Archer were up to.

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Juniper watched the sibling interaction closely, and Dahlia seemingly relented at Rhys's comment about free drinks and pushed her basket back towards him. It was funny to watch, but she also knew that the rest of them wouldn't get a chance to pull a few out for themselves either. Dahlia was still guarding them closely.

She continued sipping on her drink as she glanced at Rhys through the corner of her eye. He was finally checking the text she had sent. Eventually, she felt the final tip of her glass and the beer stopped coming. Had she really managed to drink it that fast? The shots they'd been taking made time feel simultaneously fast and in slow motion. Heavy drinking for a lightweight. That seemed to always happen around Rhys.

Nell hadn't returned yet, but Rhys had decided he needed food and the table was lacking alcohol. He suggested they both go up now, instead of waiting, and she agreed to accompany him. "Don't tempt me with a good time," she teased at his offer to glare at other woman at the bar. When it became a game like this, she sort of enjoyed it. Plus, they weren't all terrible. She understood that it was difficult out here and Rhys was, well, Rhys. He was nice to look at and wandering glances were inevitable. Merlin, she even unknowingly gawked at him.

Letting him lead her through the crowd once again, she was glad to see that Chambers had disappeared. She really didn't need him trying to go toe to toe with Rhys. That wouldn't end well for him at all. And with two more cursebreakers lurking in the background, Chambers literally wouldn't know what hit him.

Waiting at the bar, she let her eyes wander from person to person. Most were in a similar state as she was, just tipsy enough to forget the work week, but still hanging on desperately to the last bit of sobriety. The close proximity to Rhys was what she really wanted. They could sit next to one another all they wanted at the table, but anything more than surface level flirting was going to raise some eyebrows. Not that she cared. She just didn't want to be on the receiving end of Dahlia's bluntness like she had just forced on the other two. Rhys's hand found it's way around her waist as they waited for the bartender and he asked if she was going with him later. "That's what I was planning on doing," Juniper answered, leaning into him a little more.

rhys alexander greyback ● 428

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[rhys alexander greyback]

i'd suffer hell if you'd tell me

what you'd do to me tonight

August 25, 2028
juniper minerva mcgonagall

The crowd allowed them this private moment while simultaneously blending in. A pub on a Friday night, it wasn’t odd to see a couple cozying up to one another. And this was Rhys. Any bartender who knew him was probably not surprised by the sight. Just another day in the life, so to speak. Subconsciously, Rhys probably pressed his luck on account of the day. It was his birthday, and he had a good day as well. Rhys wasn’t waiting for the other shoe to drop for these fleeting few minutes. He wondered if this is what ordinary people felt and the envy he felt at their inherent freedom.

Juniper answered him in the affirmative, prompting Rhys to wrap his arms loosely around her shoulders, much like he always used to, even when he was half a foot shorter. Plus, it helped him keep his hands to himself, for the most part. They were in public, after all. ”You know...” Rhys began again, still trying to catch the eye of anyone on staff. ”We could just leave. Doubt they’ll notice.” Archer and Dahlia drank like Rhys did, and Nell asking any questions would probably prompt Dahlia to ask again if she was shagging Archer.

”Dahlia and Arch are probably fighting over her food anyway.” Mentally, he could see Archer in a headlock again, or they were arm wrestling for the last few chips. Some sort of sibling antics with that cursebreaker edge. He’d seen it firsthand time and time again, and who knew when Nell would return to the table. As he enjoyed this moment with Juni, knowing very well they’d have to act platonically once they returned, a bartender finally got to them. ’What’ll you have—more whisky?’ Rhys almost felt annoyed at the interruption. Almost. Until he heard whisky, yes, he supposed it was time for more.

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The temptation to just go was really strong. She had sort of hoped that was where it would end up from the moment she was invited, though obviously didn’t want to completely throw herself at Rhys if he wasn’t looking for it tonight. She didn’t want to ruin the good thing they had going. ”If they aren’t already catching on, that would give it away,” she said as his arm moved up to her shoulder. The welcome weight of it reminded her of all those years where it provided comfort and security. Having all of it dangled in front of her like this, like she was some sort of caged animal in the zoo waiting for her next meal, was dizzying sometimes. Juniper knew that rushing things and trying to push Rhys back into a relationship wouldn’t be the best thing in the world. The constant reminder that how things were worked just as well for both of them, even if it made her anxious.

”But it’s your birthday, so it’s your call,” Juniper added. She really didn’t care what the other three thought of her. Archer had always been indifferent, and Nell, well, she wouldn’t care. And Juniper doubted Dahlia would give a damn. She just had to watch out for the other werewolf if things got bumpy. That one scared her just a bit sometimes. Juniper was sure she meant well, but there were times where she really didn’t understand Dahlia at all.

Before she could say something else, the bartender had found them, and asked Rhys if he wanted more whiskey, before turning to Juniper to ask her as well. She waved hers off. They were more than likely going to be drinking more once they got back to his place anyways. It always went that way. ”I’m good whenever you are,” she finally decided on as she waited for him to get his last drink.

rhys alexander greyback ● 319

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[rhys alexander greyback]

i'd suffer hell if you'd tell me

what you'd do to me tonight

August 25, 2028
juniper minerva mcgonagall

Rhys knew Juniper was right. This would blatantly make it obvious the pair were up to something. Merlin knew there had been a time or two when out drinking with Archer, Saff, and their other friends, and Rhys disappeared with an attractive waitress into a backroom. At this point, Rhys was very tempted to do just that but knew it wouldn’t be enough to satisfy either of them. Juniper was and would never be like any other woman he’d been with or wanted to be with. Holding her now brought Rhys into that rare drunken clarity.

”Hmm...maybe.” Rhys sort of agreed but didn’t feel discouraged, either. Still, she left the decisions in his hands. It was a shame the bartender interrupted them, but Rhys took the opportunity. ”A double. Neat.” Rhys requested, while Juni requested nothing. While waiting for the quick pour, Juni made her decision after all. Momentarily releasing his arms from Juniper, he reached to grab the glass and drink it entirely at once. While his face flinched a bit, he was in far too deep to really feel its burn anymore. Rhys then leaned in, and the bartender did the same. ”Listen, Sam, I'll drop by tomorrow and pay the tab on that table back there.” The bartender, Sam, shook Rhys’ hand with a nod. It wouldn’t be the first nor the last time Rhys would have to settle a tab the next day.

That was settled, Rhys turned back around to Juniper. ”Ready?” While the statement came out as a question, Rhys slipped his hand into hers and easily found the front of the Three Broomsticks. It was far less crowded in the front, thankfully. The cooler air felt nice on his face as they stepped outside. The fact that they were sort of running away made him smile like a stupid teenage boy without the world's worries on his shoulders. As he opened his mouth to speak, Rhys turned and stopped. Well, he supposed they hadn’t escaped everyone. ”Erm—that’s where you went off to.” Nell stood there, a cigarette between her fingers, though, by the sight of it, she was almost done.

The cooler air also let Rhys feel how much alcohol he’d consumed. ”I—uh—she's going...home. Right over there—” He pointed with a hand across his chest and to the side in some general direction. ”Couldn’t let her walk all by herself.” Rhys shrugged lightly, but he was useless with words sober, let alone in this state.

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With only a few swift movements, Rhys had managed to stomach down his double shot of whiskey, agree with the bartender he'd back the following morning to pay the table's tab, and whisk her away towards the door of the Three Broomsticks. At this point, she didn't care what others saw or thought. It was none of their business what she did in her life, regardless of what one of the inevitable outcomes could be. Juniper knew she deal with the heartbreak if it all fizzled out into a crash and burn scenario again. She'd managed it twice already, under far more strenuous circumstances too. The constant reminder that this was just for fun and nothing was supposed to come from it was ringing alarm bells in her head as they left. It didn't matter though. They had both agreed to this and she was in it until they made some sort of decision about what came next.

Out the front door they went and nearly ran into a person just in the other side. Rhys immediately started to frantically search for words as she realized it was Nell standing there, having just finished her extensive smoke break. She looked a little like her elder sister in currently frazzled state, sucking down cigarettes like one did when they had a nicotine addiction. Rhys tried to explain what they were doing - that he was walking her back to her parents' house down the street - but one quick glance from Nell down at their hands, which were clasped together, made Juniper's heart dip momentarily. There was no way she didn't know now. 'Have a safe walk then. Thanks for inviting me, and happy birthday again,' Nell said as she dropped her half-finished cigarette onto the ground and stamped it out. She gave Juniper a hard look before turning and heading back inside. That was easily the most intimidating Nell Ollivander had ever been in her life. Apparently, she did have it in her.

"Well uhhh..." Juniper mumbled as she tried to figure out what had just happened. "She was bound to find out eventually?" Posing it as a question surely didn't help. Here they were, placing bets on Archer and Nell, and then went and blew their secret tryst in spectacular fashion the first time they were all out together. Keeping it hidden was exhausting, not that she cared much about the perception others had of her. At least now they could explain what the actual relationship was if anyone asked.

Looking up at Rhys to figure out what he was thinking, it was impossible to tell in the shadows cast by the overhead light of the bar. She tugged at his sleeve gently. "So...you taking me home or not?" Juniper said in a teasing manner, trying to get the mood shifted back to where it had been.

rhys alexander greyback ● 477

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[rhys alexander greyback]

i'd suffer hell if you'd tell me

what you'd do to me tonight

August 25, 2028
juniper minerva mcgonagall

Despite the day being about celebrating Rhys’ twenty-eight birthday, the energy that radiated to his fingertips reminded him of when he was seventeen or eighteen. And sneaking out of the pub hand in hand supported that nostalgic connection. How many closets, empty classrooms, or hidden corners had Rhys and Juni escaped to for precious time alone. Not to mention whenever he’d sneak her into the dorms. And the freedom they had given one another to pursue this path in the interest of fun and familiarity added to that fire. To Rhys, it was the perfect arrangement. Free to live their lives but still have one another all the same.

The awkward encounter with Nell didn’t faze Rhys, although perhaps it should have. After nearly two decades of friendship, they could read one another pretty well. It crossed Rhys’ mind that Nell never needed much of a confession from him to know the truth. A moment passed after Nell went back inside, leaving them finally alone. ”You’re probably right.” Feeling a little wobbly, Rhys leaned on the wall with his shoulder before Juniper caught his attention again, back to the matter at hand. Slowly, he smiled, gently pulling her toward him, but Juniper’s back was now against the wall, and Rhys was facing her.

”In a moment...” His voice was low and gruff, one hand flat against the wall just above her. ”I’ve wanted to do this all night.” Stepping a little closer, the fingers of his other hand trailed her jaw to angle her face. Rhys kissed her, although conscious of holding himself back enough, so they made it home. The library was one thing, but in front of The Three Broomsticks was another. The need to breathe forced him to pull back. ”The...the transport hub’s right around the corner.” One probably shouldn’t apparate in such a state. At least there was a floo that conveniently would drop them hardly five minutes from Rhys’ flat.

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Making out under the shadows of The Three Broomsticks was definitely a bold way of keeping things hush hush as friends with benefits. Nell had barely reacted and returned inside, and the remainder of Hogsmeade was deathly silent, bar the occasional insect buzz or dog bark. Maybe the loudest thing other than her heart beating was the odd cheer from inside the pub, a different group awarding themselves another round of shots. That could have been their group, but here the two of them were, sneaking off again like they were teenagers.

Juniper could taste the whiskey he’d just drank, feeling the slight tingly burn of it on her lips. Being thrown up against the wall didn’t even matter at this point. It was far safer than the school library, but she’d never live down the shame if they ran off into a nearby alley and were caught. Not in her own village. That would give her a worse reputation than Holly. Still, she didn’t want Rhys to stop. The lingering tease of having to wait even longer to get back to his flat was awful. There was no other choice though.

”Mhmm,” she hummed at the idea of taking the floo network instead. Even she didn’t have the wherewithal to apparate right now. The sudden slowdown of everything had given the alcohol ample time to catch up to her, and walking felt sluggish enough. ”It took you long enough too,” Juniper added as she attached herself to his arm as they headed in the direction of the transportation hub. She couldn’t even remember the last she had to take it. Usually if she was too far gone, she stumbled back to her parents’ house and slept it off there. There was no way she could do that tonight though. Nor did she want to.

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