someone to lose (albus)

[Deleted]

In her obsession to achieve high marks on her OWLs, Brígh had neglected going to Hogsmeade yesterday. It was all for the better though, as apparently some dragons had swooped in and wreaked havoc on the village. Since it was the Christmas holiday, students were permitted to enter Hogsmeade more frequently, so she had the chance to visit the following day. At least she had managed to get some revision in. She half wished she had spent more time in the years leading up to this one revising harder, but that was in the past. She'd gotten Jace to practice wand work with her as well, instead of just bewitching pillows. But today, she promised herself a day off revising. This was because a few days ago, she'd sent a letter to Albus, her friend but also maybe more than a friend, person. They hadn't seen much of each other since their kiss in this very village. Brígh, when not thinking about her OWLs, had been thinking non-stop about Albus. She was glad he'd been open to meeting again in the village, seeing as she was an underage witch and couldn't go very far. And she was glad he was open to seeing her again, as she hadn't been the very best at keeping in contact despite her deep interest in him.

The morning of the Hogsmeade visit, Brigh dressed more carefully than normal in a cream coloured jumper and jeans. She combed her hair and set off alone, as most of her house had gone home for the holidays. A quarter of an hour later, she was crossing the Hogwarts grounds, having become part of the thin throng. The students crossed into Hogsmeade and Bri made a beeline for Honeydukes. Albus wouldn't be there for some time yet, but there was something so very attractive about stuffing her face with irresistible sweets and chocolates. The bell jingled as she opened the door. Bri smiled at the shop keeper, and meandered over to the chocolate frogs, wondering how many she could fit in her pockets on the way back up to the castle without looking too conspicuous.

tag: Albus Severus Potter

[Albus Severus Potter]

don't speak too soon.

HAVING FOUGHT ALONGSIDE HIS AUNT HERMIONE and his cousin, Albus was still reeling the day after. The dragon attack had seized the wizarding community with such force, paired with the attack on Azkaban, it was another display of organisation that shook the community. It had been Albus's first proper job as a trainee Auror. He still smarted a little at having missed his opportunity to help at Azkaban, but what mattered most was that he'd done something, at least.

The damage was still visible the following day. Albus headed in to Hogsmeade with a blooming bruise along his hairline. The cuts and burns he'd had taken care of immediately - a few grazes on his palms and a minor burn on his arm, which had ruined a perfectly good set of working robes. At the very least he looked relatively unscathed. 

Luckily, the dragons had been wrangled before any permanent damage had been done, or so Albus thought. He returned the next day for a few different reasons. Partly because he wanted to know if it had all been real. But, it was also something he was proud of being a part of. He'd done something worthwhile and that mattered. It just so happened that Brigh had gotten in touch to meet him, too. He agreed in the hopes of finding out she was okay. He cared about her and if she'd been at the dragon attack, then he wanted to make sure she was alright.

Peering through the frosty glass of Honeyduke's, Albus say Brigh's flaming red hair first. Somehow, it looked different from the typical Weasley red, or maybe that was his own biased opinion. There was a touch more strawberry, he reckoned. The door jangled as he opened it up, rifling in his pockets for his suede pouch of galleons, sickles and knuts. He'd come prepared this time, since last he'd seen Brigh she'd taken him quite by surprise. Soft footed, Brigh appeared not to notice him as he approached.

"Brigh?" He said, rousing her from a particular array of dazzling sweets. She appeared to have found a lot of purchases in his absence, her arms laden with treats and his shoulders lifted as he laughed slightly through pursed lips. "Am I late?" He teased her lightly, reaching over to pluck a chocolate frog from the bottom shelf. Anything so that he wasn't the only person without something in their hands. 

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Brígh contemplated the dizzying array of sweets before her, wondering just how much she could fit into her pockets before returning to Hogwarts. She had a serious sweet tooth. She was reminded of the time last term when she had met Ashley in this very shop. It had been a strange encounter, one that befitted friends rather than a pair who strictly did not like one another. But now, Brigh supposed they were sort of friends. Or at the very least, not enemies. She still didn't trust a girl who actually enjoyed running.

After a few moments, Bri realised that she was thinking of someone other than Albus, who would be coming here to meet her today. She was infinitely glad that she'd given the Hogsmeade trip yesterday a miss, what with dragons attacking (though it would have been cool to see- she didn't see them from the castle windows either). As she hovered over the chocolate frogs, his familiar voice rang out, laced with a teasing note.

Relief flooded Brígh as she whipped around and promptly dropped everything she was holding. She haphazardly threw her arms around Albus in her usual form of greeting. "Albus, hi! How are you?" She stooped to collect the sweets she had dropped. Only when she straightened did she notice the marks of a recent battle. 'Oh Merlin, what happened to you? Did you fight those dragons? Are you okay?" The questions came in a flurry, nonstop and in quick succession. "You're right on time, and you probably need chocolate to heal you up."

tag: Albus Severus Potter
ooc: dont hate meee

[Albus Severus Potter]

don't speak too soon.

BRIGH'S BODY CRUNCHED LIKE A HUMAN SWEET wrapped as she wrapped him in a hug. Her arms thrown around him without care, and Albus froze for a second, his breath going solid in his chest as he contemplated how to proceed - he'd never been much of a hugger - before he tentatively threaded an arm around her waist and patted her back twice. When she released him, he felt unbearably awkward, a tell-tale red tinge around his cheekbones and forehead as he leaned away and tucked his hands deep in his pockets.

"I'm okay," He told her, a slight smile on his face as she spoke rapidly. The first time he'd confided in Brigh she'd been softer, almost hesitant. It was an odd comparison when held against the girl in front of him now. So bright and full of chatter that Al struggled to keep up. She reminded him of a little of the better parts of his little sister. They'd get along, he reckoned. "Honestly, I'm fine." He repeated himself, tilting his chin down in what he hoped was an earnest expression. "It's just work." He was downplaying it. It was one of the best things he'd ever been a part of.

Reaching around her, Albus grabbed a chocolate bar from the shelf and tore the wrapped with his teeth. "Maybe a little." He admitted with a slight laugh, biting in to the corner, a crunchy thing with a dark chocolate coating. Al gnawed on it for a second, examining some of the sweets that stuck out of every available space on Brigh's person. "Where were you?" He asked her curiously, hoping she hadn't been in the mass of the chaos. "Safe, right?" He lifted his brows at her expectantly, but there was humour in the corner of his mouth.

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Deleted]

Albus patted Brígh's back tentatively in what she considered an acceptable return for her crushing hug. She beamed at him as she stepped back, allowing him to regain his breath. Her questions flew out of her mouth like wildfire, and she was tempted to touch one of the yellowing bruises but held herself back. Though they knew each other well through letters, though they had chemistry, she had to remind herself not to overstep. After all, Albus was still likely reeling from the news of his father, and the action from the recent dragon attack in Hogsmeade. She thanked Merlin once again that she hadn't been present.

Bri arched a brow as Albus conceded that this was all 'just work.' "Riiiight of course. Dark wizard catching with a side of action and adventure, she replied, her tone conspiratorial. She offered him chocolate before realising she still had to pay for all these things. "Ah, hang on won't be a mo'" she muttered, shifting the sweets so that she could pass over the cash to pay for the ones that would fit in her pockets and leave her hands free. She turned to Albus with a small smile as he asked about her whereabouts during the dragon rampage.

"Me? Danger is my middle name," said Bri with a laugh. "But no, yes I was safe. Didn't go to Hogsmeade today. Had to revise to that I can get the marks to become an auror," she added in what she hoped was an offhand voice. She'd wanted to be a dark wizard catcher for as long as she could remember- it was inspiring to her that Albus, her friend and confidant, was following her own dream. As if he wasn't fanciable enough.

"Albus, I'm really glad you made it out okay," Bri said seriously, catching his hand in hers. "I know your dad would be so proud of you." Bri had been hesitant about bringing up Harry Potter, especially after everything, but she thought it was suitable. Albus would surely tell her if it wasn't. And if it wasn't, she made a right pig's ear of everything and may as well just never socialise again.

tag: Albus Severus Potter

[Albus Severus Potter]

don't speak too soon.

BRIGH'S EFFERVESCENT PERSONALITY BLED IN to Albus's face and he couldn't help but smile as she seemed to vibrate on the spot, her arms laden with all kinds of sweets and treats. She seemed to realise this at the same moment Al did and turned to pay for her things in a hurry, her long red hair whipping his face as he did. He laughed quietly under his breath, waiting with his hands tucked away in his robes as she gathered her things and turned back to meet him.

"That's-" And then Albus stalled for a moment, his brows pulling together slightly as he regarded her curiously. "I didn't know you wanted to be an Auror." Sometimes Albus wondered if maybe he talked too much. He felt like this revelation was a tell tale sign that he might have. Brigh was all too happy to let him sit and rant about his own sad life, he barely knew a thing about hers. He reached up and scratched his chin where a light smattering of scruff prickled his jawline. "That's really cool."

And then Albus's arms went numb as Brigh surprised him by reaching out to snag his free hand. Her hand was shockingly warm against his wind chilled knuckles and he frowned slightly, but didn't pull away. "Thanks," He said gruffly, because he'd never really had a reaction like that before. Someone who was as equally impressed as they were pleased to see him well. He pulled his hand away slowly, his neck reddening and stuffed both hands in to his pockets. "I don't really care what he would think, though." His smile was sour and bleak, and he felt bad for showing his cards so plainly, but he couldn't help himself. He sizzled with repressed anger. "C'mon, let's get a butterbeer." And he jutted his chin towards the door and turned to leave, turning his back on her for a moment. 

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!