Not-Quite-Nice Reunion [Argus]

[Deleted]

If Nazirah had known what was going to happen that day, she would've been a lot more hesitant, a lot more angry, and a lot more unnerved - as it was, though, she was fine. Cutting a striking figure in a deep red robe that billowed around her, dark skin a lovely contrast, heels clicking with every step she took, the International Auror made her way through the building. Officially, if anyone asked her, she was here to finalize some paperwork for her working here in Great Britain, instead of her home country of Egypt - it was a fairly simple, and perfectly logical excuse, one that she actually had to do. Of course, it was rather simple, something that she could easily get done on her own and owl in, but she could just pretend to not know that.

Simple logic was better.

Especially that it had taken enough to get away, honestly - professors had to patrol the corridors at certain times, even on weekends, she had homework to grade, people to interrogate, people to befriend, experiments to make, plants to check on... Essentially, she was ridiculously busy - an IA's job never ended! - but she needed to take time out of her schedule to drop by and greet a few people. Nothing big, nothing that would hopefully take too long, but... it was still time she had to take off and prepare for, and it was kind of annoying. Not a big deal, but annoying.

And then it rapidly became very much not annoying, but something darker and different, and the woman jerked to a halt, standing stock still, a drop of blood red in the middle of people, staring at the man whom she recognized, coming into view. Argus. It was- no, that couldn't be him. But it made sense. It made horrible, horrible sense, his office wasn't far from here, he worked here, but no, she couldn't make a scene... Nazirah couldn't tell if he noticed her.

Hopefully not. Maybe not. Taking a few steps over, she turned to lean against the wall, hand tightening on her wand, eyes riveted on him. Either he'd see her, and they'd be forced to - eugh - talk, or she could catch him with a hex as he went by... The latter, if all went well.

@argus

[Deleted]

It had been a rather busy morning for Argus that day he had started earlier than usual, arriving before the Minister even arrived for the day. He had been interviewing people throughout the day for positions within the Advanced Guard as he was officially letting some members go but found jobs for them back in the Auror Office, they had openings since some had gone missing and had been killed. Not only that but he had a meeting with all of the advanced guard members over the new threats he had learned about from the first order meeting. Each threat was unique in its own way each provided a substantial threat of hurting the Minister or worse the entire Ministry. A review of the entire security protections of the Ministry had been ordered including in surrounding areas outside of the Ministry, for anything unusual. This place needs to become a fortress at once if something happens thought Argus, he could not just close the Ministry down and bar public visitors out, the Minister would have his head. Pushing the chair away from the table he got up and gathered up a couple folders and walked out of the conference room and walked towards one of the guards that was near the door.

”There’s a few that might make it to training and eventual confirmed offer, however unsure yet” spoke Argus as he was talking to the guard his eye caught the color of someone’s red robe. Stood out to the others who mainly wore dark black robes. Turning a little he notice who it was, and his heart stopped and his jaw dropped in being shocked. A man who had to keep his emotions in check and never show them really, had just got completely stunned by a woman he loved, no not loved, and still loves. His mind stopped and focused on her and then saw her move behind one of the corners, he was sure she had notice him. However; the warm feelings he felt for seeing the woman he once was set to spend the rest of his life with her, then ruined it all by flying away and leaving her at the altar. Fear was in his heart and his mind started working again, remembering that Walton said she was still very much angry with him. She burned the letters I sent here, hexed someone for speaking of my name and promotion…yea she’s going to kill me thought Argus giving a little groan, knowing he couldn’t simply ban an International Auror from the Ministry without having serious and unpleasant discussions later with Walton, David and others.

”Go back and cover the Minister for me, I have some…stuff to take care of…I’ll be fine”lied Argus as he patted the guard who reluctantly walked away to go cover the pain in ass Minister of Magic. He started making his way over to the corner he had seen Christina hide behind, his hand on his own wand already withdrawn as he walked up. He didn’t trust her not to just go total crazy ex-fiancé on him, so staying on guard was very important, more than ever. ”Christina? I…I’m surprised I thought you were in Australia….you look amazing you know I’ve always wanted to talk to you about what happened…I…sent you letters” said Argus with a gulp he pocketed his wand but kept his hand closing giving a little smile to Christina, she did look amazing. He loved the color of the robe and the contrast with her dark skin. Terrifying and beautiful, deadly combination thought Argus waiting for her response, or her to hex him.

607 WORDS

@nazirah

THANK YOU MALIA TATE FROM ADOXOGRAPHY

[Deleted]

He did see her, and did come to find her. For one agonizing moment, the woman closed her eyes, willing herself to be patient, to not hex him here in public and then get into severe trouble - for which she would face great consequences, which she was pretty sure was not worth it, no matter how delicious it would be, it had been years - before she opened them, turning to wait for him to fully approach her, foot tapping on the floor, arms folded across her chest, and wand hanging loosely from one hand. No. Don't... Don't hex him. Instead, she managed a scowl, which only deepened as he spoke up.

Argus- that man left her at the altar, and now he had the gall to act like this!?

Tensing, Nazirah tried to calm herself, but the voice that emerged from her was utterly harsh. "I did not read them," she replied promptly, spitting it out at him as if being so near to him was painful, even speaking words to him was painful - and it was. "It was very, very clear what message you were trying to send. Your absence was most noticeable." If there was anyone who screamed of disdainful pureblood - as well as immensely hateful, unable to express her loathing as much as she wanted to, the sheer hurt and rage of many years built up underneath - it was her. Unable to even communicate without immensely horrid tones underneath.

Not that she cared - it was Argus, after all. She pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes at him. "I have been in Australia - and I will not ask how you know that," - the implied 'stalker' was clearly underlined, though she doubted he had resorted to anything like that - "Now, however, I have taken over as the Alchemy Professor at Hogwarts." He knew her well enough to know that it was to be a cover - she certainly had never had an ambition to teach or deal with children - and she knew him well enough to know that he wouldn't blow it for her. Good.

Now, if she could just convince her subconscious that causing him to sprout boils was a bad idea...

[Deleted]

She was clearly not happy to see him he knew her all too well, and her body language read that she wanted nothing to do with him. Her foot tapping and the arms cross showed it all and the look upon her face was terrifying enough to strike fear in little kids hearts and grown men as well. He watched as the look on her face got worse, it was becoming the look of death as he spoke. Crap I should have walked the other way thought Argus and for a split second he did want to cut and run. The man in charge of protecting the Minister even dying to protect him, was scared of the woman in front of him. She was no joke he knew she was a skilled duelist and not someone you wanted to be on the bad side, on the other hand he always did like her angry sometimes but not like this. His eyes looked down for a second when she spoke about his absence being most noticeable, his absence from the altar, something he just did not even explain to her really.

He was about to speak but closed his mouth deciding he should wait before saying anything else. He couldn’t help but give some sort of scoff as she implied that he stalked her on how he had known she was in Australia. He had done known such thing Walton had told him over drinks, he could blurt that to her but he wasn’t going to throw Walton under the bus. He might be scared of her but, wasn’t going to roll down either. She’s around kids?! the thought crossed his mind and he just nodded at her saying she was now the Alchemy Professor at Hogwarts. He knew she was skilled at the subject and had a passion for it but, never suspected her as teacher person. He knew it had to be a cover with the International Aurors which made sense to him, they wanted them at Hogwarts he knew two at least where their now. ”Christina…I was foolish and younger then I should have told you sooner I didn’t want to get tied down…I was just completely wrong to pretend I wanted to be a husband and not telling you the truth…” he stopped talking and looked down for a second he did not know what to say next. At the time he wanted to get to know different people be young and have fun not tie himself down and he did after his breakup with her but now he was starting to become lonely. He knew he messed up doing what he did to her, but he was sure he lost her forever now.

His light blue eyes moved back up and looked at her and he took a deep breath in holding it for a few seconds before letting it out, as he figured what to say next. ”Well I know you always liked Alchemy…I’m sure you can bring a passion back to it at Hogwarts” said Argus his voice more clear this time and not as hesitant or as weak before. Rather talk to her in private thought Argus but he knew that was something that was nearly impossible of happening. Instead he made sure he didn’t take any steps further to her, cornering her would just lead to a major public problem. ”I know you won’t believe me and it may not help…but I am sorry for everything I did from that day and before…you have every right to hex me ..If you know we weren’t around everyone” said Argus giving a sort of sarcastic humor near the end of his statement. This was all a risky move but, maybe worth it.

631 WORDS

@nazirah

THANK YOU MALIA TATE FROM ADOXOGRAPHY

[Deleted]

She huffed. Flattery would buy him absolutely nothing - though she had to admit, it was nice, as usual, to hear her skills and passion for Alchemy complimented. Unfortunately, it exposed her concern that, yes, people at Hogwarts were not as inclined towards Alchemy as Uagadou was, but it wasn't as though she was going to take that lying down - oh, no. She was going to ignite a fire in those children - she would give everyone good grades, but they would work for it. She would dole out rewards, not punishments - get a good reputation, hell, maybe even stick around, if it was a possible cover for her to keep - and make sure it was done right.

Because they certainly hadn't been doing it that way before.

Fortunately - or rather unfortunately, for Argus - Nazirah refused to let herself get distracted by his compliment. Instead, she reflexively tightened and loosened her grip on her wand, waiting for him to finish, the scowl on her face slowly morphing into a sneer. Every word he said - at least in her current mood, she'd be able to examine this a bit more accurately later - just... did not help at all. Not right now, not at this moment, not after the first interaction they had had in years. No, he was slowly digging himself further and further into a hole, and the Auror was content to listen, watch, and let him do so - at least until he was done. Then, it was time to tear him a new one.

Which she promptly lit into.

"Oh, I believe you," she stated, almost casually, were it not for the sneer that she wore like a mask. "I believe that you were foolish, younger, should have been honest with me - I would not have minded, you know." Had he been up front with her, and told her he wasn't ready for that level of commitment just yet? Fine by her. She would've appreciated it, it wouldn't have chased her away - certainly not like this had. "I also believe that you are sorry for it, and believe I have a right to hex you. I definitely do." Nazirah didn't take the bait on the joke - no matter how Argus it was, no matter how much it panged in a spot of her that she had made a point to ignore, it still would take more to get over how much she had seethed over this.

That is, after she cried. Not that she would ever admit it to him, but she had been heartbroken, utterly devastated. To be ready to marry someone, commit her entire life to him, and believe that he felt the same, and then to just... have it thrown back in her face?

It had all rolled into anger, as the years went by, and now that was evident as she let out her tranquil fury - more because if she got into any other kind of fury, she'd hex him and/or yell at him in public. Neither of which would be appreciated. "That does not mean I forgive you. Or that I want to put it behind us. It was still one of the worst things you could have done - no mere apology will change that," she spat, narrowing her eyes. "You shattered all the trust that I had given to you - that will not change from something I know as truth."

Ohhh, but it did make her want to hex him, all the more.

[Deleted]

He apparently was not doing any favors for himself for the flattering comment about her bringing passion back to Hogwarts for Alchemy. Also, his apology and reasoning for what he did and why he had done it, was not working in the way he wanted. His heart sank lower as he watched the scowl on her face turn into a sneer. It was the look of death once more, she was not wanting to hear him he was sure of that and the only reason he believed she hadn’t hexed him yet was because of their current location. Attacking the personal bodyguard of the Minister was not a smart thing to do especially if one was in the Ministry at the time of attack. He just stood there and barely nodded at her weakly as she stated that he should have just told her the truth. Oh how simple it sounded to just tell the girl who loved you that “Hey I know I proposed to you but I can’t get married to you yet”, especially one who is like her. He looked at her strangely at the next moment when she said that she believed that he was sorry for what he had done to her. Really? She believed he was sorry, that was something that raised his hopes up just a little.

A little chuckle escaped him when she said that she deserve to hex him, his eyes caught a man who was a fellow Auror look over at them when he overheard her say hex him. He waved his hand at the man to wave him off, he knew she wouldn’t hex him here plus he was sure he could handle her in a duel again. Nodding once more he did not speak, until he knew she was done speaking interrupting Christina would be a horrible mistake. What came next his eyes went down to the ground for a second, he displayed the emotion of a heart broken man, who looked as he just saw a chance of hope and love shattered. He knew his apology was not going to work for what he had done, just how she said it had stung him. Did he honestly thing she would see him and be overfilled with emotion and rush at him, so he could hold her once more? Well part of him yes he did it was a fantasy you could say, since there was no way she would expressing any sort of love for him. Taking a deep breath and exhaling it he looked back up to her wondering what he could say to her without hurting him in any more.

”I know it won’t change anything it’s just I at least owed you a real apology and an explanation…I think” said Argus rubbing the back of his head, he really was unsure exactly of what to say. He knew actions speaked louder than words but, what could he do right here right now to prove to her, that she could trust him. No he was being a moron now, trust was a sacred thing. It took time to build up trust and it was nearly even impossible to build it back once it has been destroyed, something he had successfully done with her. ”Well I’m going to work back on earning trust back with you, that’s something I assure you I will do. It’s going to take time and more than just some apology I know all that, and I’m sure you need to get some anger out” spoke Argus in a calm voice to her now. He was starting to become comfortable, knowing he was deep in a hole already, the worse would be she hurt him or never talk to him again, and well he could get over both of those.

639 WORDS

@nazirah

THANK YOU MALIA TATE FROM ADOXOGRAPHY

[Deleted]

Another time, another time a handful of years ago, in another place, Nazirah would've been concerned at the sight before her. She would have inquired, softly, gently, what was wrong, slipping an arm around him, leaning into him and possibly giving him a kiss, or more, in order to cheer him up. It would have been a nice moment - helping her sorrowful fiance feel better, for she had always wished to make sure he was fine. She knew that he had felt the same way about her - it was simple and easy, and she didn't question it.

Now, though, in a dark corner of her, Nazirah felt nothing but satisfaction. Good. He should feel that way.

It was good he at least acknowledged it wouldn't change - hope it would, probably - but his final, uncertain way to end it had the woman cutting in before he could fully finish and move onto his next thought. "You don't think. You did owe me that." If Argus honestly couldn't even grasp that yeah, he owed her an apology and an explanation - face-to-face, that is, not in shitty letters that were only useful for setting on fire when you were upset - then she was definitely not sure of even continuing them knowing each other. That was... That was just... Leaving someone at the altar? And then being unsure about whether they deserve an apology and explanation? Argus had better just be being unsure right now, and not actually think that, or she would rip him a new one and then leave him to die. Before never speaking to him again.

He spoke again, though, and the woman remained, listening, brow still furrowed with frustration and anger. His calm tone didn't help much - while it probably helped him, she was just so utterly unable to get past her own anger that it only made things worse. She was getting emotional over this, and he didn't seem to be getting as much, didn't seem to be as invested-

Just like before, though hindsight was definitely 20/20.

Nazirah grit her teeth, unable to help herself. "Why should I be willing to let you in again?" she questioned, furiously, hoping for an acceptable answer, something to convince her - either that, or she would walk away. She wanted an answer - needed an answer. "You left me, on what was to be the most important day of our lives - how should I trust you again? Why? What's in it for me, opening up, only for you to just stomp all over me again?" Rationally, she knew that he wouldn't do something like that. But emotionally, she couldn't tell, couldn't force herself to understand that. It was... It was horrible.

She didn't want to go through that heartbreak again.