a game we play | mina

[ares edward lestrange]

the mind is always troubled with.

03.02.2025

GIVEN THE DAY OFF to spend with his son was an opportunity Ares jumped at quicker than a moment to thieve from someone. Sebastian was the Lestrange’s pride and joy, even though he didn’t always express his love for the younger boy. Considering enough qualified team members were running Hog’s Head today, Ares took the opportunity to meet up with Callisto’s parents, who granted the male a few hours alone with his son. The planned meetings since Ares’ return, were going well overall, even the Lestrange spent Christmas by the Oliveira’s sides, playing with his mindless son. He had to admit, Sebastian had a lot of growing up to do, but he was only three after all.

Dressed up to fight the slightly cold weather, Ares was squatting down, ensuring that Sebastian’s coat was zipped up, before his large hand held onto the small one his son had. It was rather adorable, how identical they seemed to be, but after a day of excitement in the wizarding parks, playing with magic to excite his son and even on the swings the younger Lestrange/Oliveira (another topic that needed to be discussed), wouldn’t shut up about. Ares had to admit, he rather enjoyed his time with Sebastian, but knew the younger boy was growing tired considering he wasn’t babbling as much. "Upsey-daisy.” He murmured down to his son as he picked him up, Sebastian’s head resting on his shoulder out of habit. How adorable.

The place Ares took Sebastian to wasn’t too far from the Oliveira home but Callisto was in charge of Sebastian for the night, so he assumed she would be home. Pulling up to 561 Talbot Lane, Ares knocked upon the door, before looking down at his sleeping son.

mina pandora oliveira & short but here ya go!

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[mina pandora oliveira]

ares edward lestrange

02.03.2025

Callisto was supposed to be watching Sebastian tonight. That was what Mina had been told all weekend and all afternoon once she had gotten home from work. Her sister’s tune changed though once Mina got back from walking the dog, because suddenly they needed her at the hospital. ASAP. Mina considered herself lucky that Cal had even considered sticking around long enough for Mina to lazily walk back into their apartment. Usually a letter was left explaining that she was going to be on her own for the rest of the night. The difference this time had to do with the fact that she was now upgraded to babysitter duty. It was one thing to be Auntie Mina, which meant she could do whatever she wanted while Cal watched the kid. But now he was all her responsibility and that had her terrified. Even with the amount of time she had spent with her nephew under her belt, Sebastian was a whole different ordeal compared to taking care of herself or her dog.

So with Cal long gone, Mina had situated herself on the couch and had spent the last hour anxiously teetering on the edge of it. Every time someone in her hallway opened a door or knocked on one, she found herself running over to the door and peering through the peephole. Nobody was ever there of course, but then suddenly the knocking was louder. This time it was her door. Popping to her feet, Mina padded over and unlocked it, forgetting that she probably should have checked who it was first. Her dog let out a couple of low barks and Mina shot her a dirty look and a harsh ‘shh’, making the pooch settle down in an instant. Sebastian was asleep in his dad’s arms and Mina didn’t want to be the one to disturb that. “I’m surprised you brought him back,” she said rudely as she opened the door all the way and stepped back to let him inside. “I know for a fact my sister wouldn’t.” Sarah’s name wasn’t going to grace her lips any time soon, especially if Cal’s hunch on what she had been up to these last six months was true. Sarah didn’t deserve her love anymore.

[ares edward lestrange]

the mind is always troubled with.

AS THE DOOR SWUNG OPEN, Ares felt the pull of his lips rise upwards. What was meant to be a stern but warm enough welcoming from Callisto was instead a wondrous sight of Mina and the aggressive barks of her dog. He watched as she hushed the pooch, before grinning at her form of a greeting that simply involved his sleeping son. ”Cal would be up my ass if I didn’t.” He responded, walking in at the indication that she was letting him in. He walked over to the couch where he envisioned Mina to be relaxing upon just moments before and rested his son there, slowly shrugging the smaller boy out of his outerwear and adorable hat before resting a blanket over him and propping up the softest pillow. Ares looked down at Sebastian, mentally noting this as one of the most adorable moments in his life.

Backing out of the living room, he approached Mina by the doorway, having no intention of removing his jacket nor staying longer than a simple five minute chat. ”Just be glad it’s me then instead of her.” He retorted, grinning now. ”You’re always so cruel to me Minaaaa.” He whined, sporting a pout. ”You’re my favourite Oliveira, you know.” Ahh yes, the teases to bother the younger Oliveira was the only pride and joy Ares found from most conversations with her. After all, he had been a dick to her during their younger ages, so a bite back from her every so often was somewhat expected. ”So, how has my favourite girl been? Haven’t seen you in Hogs Head for a few days, does that actually mean you can function without five firewhiskys down your throat now?”

mina pandora oliveira

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[mina pandora oliveira]

ares edward lestrange

02.03.2025

As much as Mina hated dealing with Ares, he had a damn good point about Callisto and the return of Sebastian. She was positive her sister had the Aurors on speed-dial for a kidnapping if Ares up and vanished suddenly, Seb in tow. The legality of her nephew’s guardianship was a bit beyond her knowledge, but Mina was almost positive that once Sarah had dropped him off, that was basically it. Cal and their parents held his custody now. Ares was lucky he was even allowed one on one visits. At least that was what she understood from the jargon Cal had told her. “Yeah well, when was the last time you were responsible for a living thing? Let alone a child? Can’t hold it against Cal for being skeptical about you,” she retorted despite being in agreement with him. Watching him set Seb gently down on the couch and get him situated was more parent-like than she had ever seen Sarah do with him. She sort of treated him like a doll. A plaything that was in the way of what she wanted to do.

“Don’t lie,” she said, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “You’re favorite gave you Sebastian and then left him to you.” She almost felt bad Ares was even pulled into this in the first place. Sarah got her way with more things than she should have ever been able to. Having to deal with a child at 19? Hell no. She was too busy trouncing around the United States getting hammered every night. Her parents probably thought she would come back with one though, that or end up in a police report after being found dead in a ditch. “New Year’s resolution. I don’t go to shit bars with even shittier bartenders anymore,” she shrugged, taking Seb’s jacket and hat from Ares and bringing it over to the closet to put away.

[ares edward lestrange]

the mind is always troubled with.

EVER SINCE ARES HAD BEEN back in contact with the Oliveria’s, specifically Callisto, Ares had done his hardest to prove he was a good dad. They spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together, before the Lestrange took off for a couple of days to conduct plans with the Purifiers, before making it back in time for New Years. Good Dad award please? The legality of it all was still on the rocks, given the elder man was granted visits and eventually trusted with one on one visits, soon Ares would make it his goal to have Sebastian sleep over at his, rather than Ares return him back to the Oliveira’s every night. ”Hmmm…” He began, raising his index finger to brush under his chin in thought. ”When I was twenty-one, I actually cared for a puppy!” Curse those bloody Muggles. It was Ares’ fault after all, he did…accidentally kill his parents, he needed to lay low. Whatever. ”I’m still surprised she isn’t skeptical about you, given the amount of bottles you drink in a day.” He added, brow raising to counter her retort.

Ares mimicked her stance, crossing his arms over his chest also. His head tilted to the side while a smile rose on his lips. ”Sarah will always pull some strings in my heart…” He began, their stupid one night stand had led to something reoccurring after all. ”But you’ll always be my favourite.” He grinned, winking at her. ”Don’t think I’ve forgotten Seventh Year.” His lips parted at the insult, but Ares shrugged, knowing she was probably kidding, tough love after all. ”It’s a good thing I still see people who I remember then.” Harper Weasley, that Krum boy…Mina wasn’t the last. The Lestrange looked back at the couch, where his son began to stir slightly and a small smile drew across his lips. ”Does he talk about her? Or ever bring her up?” He asked aloud, wondering.

mina pandora oliveira

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[mina pandora oliveira]

ares edward lestrange

02.03.2025

Somehow, she doubted that Ares was actually capable of taking care of another living, breathing creature. Sebastian was a rare exception for a number of reasons: if the boy came back to Callisto or her parents injured in some manner, Ares would be on the hook for that. Mina assumed he didn’t want that sort of thing following him around forever, especially if that meant no more Seb in his life. “A puppy isn’t a child. Trust me, I know,” she retorted. Cal didn’t like leaving their nephew with her either, and Mina agreed with her one-hundred percent. She wasn’t a parent and she was barely decent at getting her dog to pay attention and love her. A child was a whole different story. It was why Sarah wasn’t suited for parenthood, and why Ares really wasn’t either in her opinion. They treated Sebastian like a toy to play house with. “I know it’s hard to believe, but I’ve been stone-cold sober the last two days. It’s amazing isn’t it?” She wanted to add that people could change, but then that would open up a can of worms for Ares to try and slip into as well. Mina enjoyed having a little bit of an edge over him.

“Yeah, and you probably would have had more of a chance if you hadn’t gone and knocked my sister up,” Mina said rather frankly. It was unfortunately true. She had been smitten with him all throughout school, and then he went and ruined it for her. That was most things in life for her, and the dependency on alcohol had filled in the empty spots. Thankfully there were better people out there than Ares Lestrange, ones that were easier for her to sink her claws into instead of the other way around.

As for whether or not Sebastian ever talked about Sarah, she shrugged. That was a great question, actually, and she didn’t know the answer to it. “He talks about you, but only because he you see him more often. Not that it means anything.” Sebastian just liked to recount the day back to Callisto, and that was usually the extent of it. Or wanting to bring a toy along with him so that he could show Ares. “I’m not even sure he remembers Sarah anymore, since she was barely there to begin with.”

[ares edward lestrange]

the mind is always troubled with.

ARES LAUGHED AT THE RETORT, knowing Mina’s obsession for her dog and how she used to baby her own. She probably still does. ”How is the little fluffer anyway? Where is she more like.” Though Ares knew what Mina meant. Sarah had obsessions for things over love, and it was Ares’ own fault for getting deeply involved once he found out Sarah was pregnant. It was stupid, considering their night together was an un-meaningful one-night stand and now here Ares was. Twenty-two and a dad. ”Sober? For that long? I find that incredibly hard to believe. Considering who your closest friend is as well.” Ares remembered Rue the minute the American transferred in, in seventh year and how stuck together the two of them remained. ”If Rue can’t give up potions, there’s no way on earth you can give up drinking.”

His hand rose to his chest in surprise. He could’ve had a chance! Fucking hell. ”You shouldn’t of said anything…Now I’m making it my ultimate goal for you to marry me.” He grinned, mostly teasing to hide his own disappointment. Seventh year had been a wild one for Ares, it was the year he came to the realisation he had nothing going for him except his name, his parents were ruining the Lestrange name aaand…He had been sleeping around. A lot. ”That happened way after seventh year though. Plus I didn’t even know her.”

He smiled, somewhat a little excited Sebastian spoke about him, before it sunk in realisation it was simply because the poor boy didn’t know his mother. Ares knew he should’ve frowned but he couldn’t help it. Sebastian was adorable after all. ”It means everything.” He defended, waving a hand in front of her. ”I think that’s a good thing. He doesn’t need to know his mom is well…You know.” A bat shit crazy murderer. Ares was one also, but not everyone knew that. They only knew how crazy he could be.

mina pandora oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[mina pandora oliveira]

▲

Ares’s deflection of her jab irked her, but talking about her dog was a much more pleasant topic to go on about than Sarah. The ironic thing was that she acted more wolf than human these days. “Oh, somewhere around here probably trying to get into something so I’ll pay attention to her,” Mina sighed, rolling her eyes hard enough that they would kill Titania if she saw it. After hushing her when Ares arrived at the door, the dog had up and vanished, probably into Mina’s room to pull apart a pillow again. No matter how much training she put in, the white puffball continued to reign terror down on the Oliveira sisters’ apartment. “She’s a jealous bitch, so if Cal isn’t here and I have to watch Seb, she gets angry.” Just like her owner. Mina wasn’t so ignorant to not see the parallels between herself and her pooch. She was finally starting to understand exactly how hard it had to have been on her parents when it came to trying to steer her in the right direction. Everything they tried to do for her benefit went out the window, until they finally gave up. Sort of how she was starting to get with her dog.

“Shove off. Don’t bring Rue into this,” Mina jawed back, crossing her arms aggressively in front of her. “It’s not like you’re one to talk. Bartenders are the biggest alcoholics out there. If I was as bad as you say I am, I’d be taking your job from you.” The thought had crossed her mind once or twice, but she liked being on the receiving end of the bar. Serving people just like herself would get boring, and more than likely she’d be passed out drunk behind the bar within a matter of hours. At least at the bookstore she could make it seem like she didn’t have a problem.

Mina faked a gag as he stated his goal was to marry her now. There was no way in hell she was going to be touching Ares Lestrange again, especially after his Sarah ordeal. Did he even hear himself talking? “You sure about that? Sebastian wouldn’t be here if you didn’t know her.” It didn’t matter how he phrased it, if anything, Seb was the best thing that could happen to Ares. Now he’d have a little heir of his own to pass all his money onto. Isn’t that what Lestranges did? “At least we agree on Sarah though,” Mina relented after a few moments. “She’s not turning him. I know she’ll try, because it would mean she’d get him back, but I won’t let her.” Mina knew that meant Sarah would probably kill her, but letting Sebastian be turned into a werewolf and brainwashed by his mother and not doing anything was worse. She was sure everyone would agree with her on that.

ares edward lestrange ● 482 ● Shogun by Trivium

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[ares edward lestrange]

the mind is always troubled with.

ARES FELT A SMILE ROSE to his lips. If he couldn’t be friendly with others, animals were always a plus. It was a shame he was too busy to actually care for one. But maybe when Sebastian was older, he would consider buying a kitten or a puppy for the younger Lestrange. Whatever his son’s heart desired. ”Better give them both some equal attention. Dogs have feelings to you know.” He teased, grinning at Mina.

Ares rolled his eyes then, how could he not involve Rue? Like Mina the two played hand in hand with one another. Bad influences on the two of them, no matter how actually different they were from one another. ”Luckily for you to hear, I’ve been called the most sober bartender in all of Hogsmeade!” He felt proud of the unofficial title, but given his love for whiskey and his love for Sebastian…It was best if he stayed away from the drink for longer periods of time. ”How is the little homebody? Still got that side hustle?” Ares knew of Rue’s love for potions the moment they met. Not that the Weiss girl liked him after his…situation with Mina but it didn’t matter.

”You never know. We might have produced a future Sebastian together.” The Lestrange winked again, finding nothing but complete interest from bugging the Oliveira. ”I don’t think any of us would let her.” He corrected her, slightly frowning now. If Sarah had the intention to, Ares alongside anyone he could gather would put a stop to it by any means anyway.

mina pandora oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[mina pandora oliveira]

▲

“A few hours every week won’t kill her. She gets more than enough attention as it is,” Mina threw back at him. She could hear the dog jumping on and off the bed in her room, and from the sound of it, she was playing fetch by herself again. With the really heavy chew toy too, from the thumping noise that came every couple of seconds. “See? She knows how to play by herself when I’m busy. Smart dog.” A yip would come eventually too, because this was the start of need for attention. Every single time it started like this.

Ares proudly called himself the most sober bartender in Hogsmeade, and Mina couldn’t help but give him a judging look. That wasn’t all that impressive, considering there was what, two bars? She left it at that because protecting Rue’s image was more important to her than getting into a debate about the rampant alcoholism that plagued almost every bartender she knew. “What side hustle? Haven’t the foggiest what you’re talking about,” she deflected even though they both knew about it. Some of the stuff Rue made was…strong. Stronger than anything Mina would ever willingly get herself into, especially these days. Or at the very least, during the work week. Dabbling during the weekend had rarely hurt her enough to make a dent in her job.

“You’re fucking gross,” she hissed out at him, voice dropping low enough so that it wouldn’t wake up Sebastian. There were no children for her at all. Ever. She would make sure of it. Taking care of her nephew was one thing, but she was smart enough to know that having her own children would never pan out. “You know there wasn’t any meaning behind that,” Mina continued, in reference to their brief relationship while still in school. She would rather put that to rest once and for all instead of talking about what-ifs with Sarah trying to turn her child into a werewolf.

ares edward lestrange ● 330 ● Emily by Billie Martin

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[ares edward lestrange]

the mind is always troubled with.

WITH AN EYE ROLL, ARES’ smile only twitched somewhat higher. It was expected of Mina, refusing to give affection amongst others but the Lestrange was sure she probably babied that poor mutt while no one else was around. Maybe she was the same with Sebastian, after all, he was a beautiful Lestrange. Ares’ head popped up at the sound of the chew toy going off with every bite of hers. ”Assuming…You’re busy all the time, I’m guessing she taught herself how to have fun. Considering you’re…Barely fun anymore.”

Mina’s judging look didn’t go unnoticed from the Lestrange, but it didn’t stop his smirk from growing anymore. Especially when Mina tried to defend Rue’s ‘positive’ image, something she had crushed after her seventh year. Merlin, Ares found it amusing. ”Oh come on Mina…We both know what I’m talking about..” He leaned in closer to the Oliveira then, whispering as if his sleeping son could hear. ”Some potions here and there no?…”

From her hiss, Ares couldn’t help but quietly laugh. He knew most people didn’t like the levels of his humour considering how crude he could get but there was once a time he could see himself having a future with Mina. But now? Both of them lived messed up lives, so potentially a hook-up was far enough. The Lestrange pouted at her next statement though, knowing that none of that was true. ”How? There was a lot of meaning behind that. Surely it wasn’t a…one time thing for you…right?”

mina pandora oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[mina pandora oliveira]

▲

Did people really see her as less fun now that she wasn’t drinking as much anymore? Mina hadn’t even thought about that too much, but her muggles that she normally hung out with had stopped contacting her as often over the last month or so, and it wasn’t like she was spending as nearly as much time with Rue as she used to either. “Well, being responsible isn’t fun. But sometimes you have to be, so…” So, what? She didn’t even know what she was saying anymore. Going from 24/7 party girl to number one babysitter wasn’t exactly what she had seen herself doing at twenty-one, but there were more important things at stake.

She was sure Ares would agree with her that his child’s well-being was more important than her getting trashed at 1PM on a Thursday afternoon in an underground dive bar with her best friend (who admittedly was a druggie). But that also didn’t make Rue a bad person or Mina the most irresponsible young adult in London. There were far worse individuals out there – like Sarah. “Yeah, private potioneers make potions. Congrats Ares, you’ve finally learned what a potioneer does. You want a gold star sticker?” she said sarcastically back at him. Mina didn’t know why she was being weird about her friend’s ‘profession’, even if Callisto had been there, she probably already knew what Rue did in her spare time. There had been plenty of times where both of them had been passed out on the couch or in her room and it wasn’t from alcohol alone.

Even more aggravating than bringing Rue into the discussion, was the fact that he still thought a brief fling in sixth year actually meant anything still. Maybe he was sort of right, and it had at one point in time. But she didn’t think that way anymore, and looking back at literally every relationship she had been in since, there was nothing different between Ares Lestrange and the bloke she went home with a few times over the last few weeks. Literally nothing. “Sorry, Ares. But I fuck and forget a lot. What really helps me forget faster is knocking up my crazy werewolf sister, so yeah, from what I remember, there really wasn’t any meaning behind any of that.”

ares edward lestrange ● 382 ● Quiet Man by Roo Panes

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[ares edward lestrange]

the mind is always troubled with.

ARES UNDERSTOOD WHERE MINA WAS coming from. He’s had responsibilities since coming back to the god-forsaken country after fleeing once his parents died. He’s had responsibilities since finding out the mother of his son decided to abandon them all and dump the introduction of his son into his life. Responsibilities had only counted for three quarters of the mans life. But here he was, still in disbelief Mina had responsibilities of her own. ”And what exact responsibility do you carry?..Baby sitting Seb whenever I’m around? Dog-sitting? Or?…” Ares smirked as he trailed off, leaving the answer in the air for Mina to think and wonder about.

Ares snorted at her remark then. ”You’re good.” He grinned. Mina always knew how to dodge a bullet, especially if it meant to potentially ruin her image or reputation. Not that she had the best of either but…She was good at it regardless. ”How about a gold-star sticker and a kiss on the cheek? See would be rooting for me too.” The endless teases were only an added perk when one was with Ares, and Mina only got to experience the good side of that. ”How even is Rue? Feel like I haven’t seen her in years.” A lie. The Lestrange had seen her recently with a request of his own anyway. Perks of being a Purifier member.

Ouch. Ares’ shit eating grin dropped then and his brows furrowed. He felt…Bad? For poking and prodding at a dead topic, so instead he swallowed his pride and decided to murmur an apology. But…”You know…I didn’t know who she was…Until…”

mina pandora oliveira

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[mina pandora oliveira]

▲

“She’s my dog, so it’s not dog sitting,” Mina corrected him a touch more aggressively than she meant to, but enough to make her point. Callisto had almost killed her when the dog first came home. Mina was positive she didn’t mind the puffball anymore, despite there being times where it seemed like she didn’t want to see either of them. But that was just Cal. As for Seb, “Baby sitting because you aren’t around. Trust me, I wish things were a perfect world and he could be with you the whole time too, but that’s not how it’s worked out.” Taking care of her nephew wasn’t impossible, but it was also Cal’s job, not hers. Obviously Mina knew when to step in and whatnot, and she wouldn’t turn him away if she could help. They also weren’t his parents. That was Ares and Sarah. And they needed to figure themselves out and correct this. At least Ares sort of seemed like he cared, as opposed to Sarah. Her sister was a lost cause from the very start.

Her jaw locked as she crossed her arms and looked at him, disgusted that he was still trying to use anything he could to get under his skin. If only she had figured that out years ago and put a stop to it then. He knew exactly what to do too. “Rue is fine,” Mina said, keeping it short. If he wanted to talk to Rue, he could find her himself and ask her. Mina didn’t need to be gossiping back and forth with him about her best friend. Even if she only sang praises, it felt dirty telling that to him, of all people.

“Yeah, well, it was both of your responsibility and look what happened. I think I have the right to say that it’s not difficult to keep things safe, considering what I’ve done,” she said. Criticizing him over the fact that he made a mistake and was trying to atone for it in his own way didn’t sit well for Mina, but she had had enough of it from both him and Sarah. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the kid. But both of you could have been smarter about everything.” Was that the pot calling the kettle black? She had no idea.

ares edward lestrange ● 385 ● Chinese Satellite by Phoebe Bridgers

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[ares edward lestrange]

the mind is always troubled with.

BROWS RAISED IN FAKE SURPRISE. As if his facial expression read that this was the first time he had heard something about this. "She's yours?" He questioned aloud, hand raising to his chest as he looked between the dog and Mina. Ares then dropped his hand with a slight chuckle, laughing quietly. "See that's kind of how I found out Sebastian was mine." His smile dropped then at the mention of when he wasn't around. "You can blame your crazy fucking sister for that. You think I'd give up on my family if I knew about his existence anytime sooner? Isn't me trying now enough? I've even put in most of my wages into a little trust fund for him so if anything ever did happen and your family couldn't afford things Seb would be fine off." He sighed after, a hand raising to rake through dark hair. "I'm sorry okay? But I genuinely mean it when I say I care for him. I just wish I knew about him earlier than I did."

Mina didn't continue on then nor pick up on his joke about a winning kiss and instead just kept it short, mentioning how Rue is good. "Know where she's hiding out these days?" He asked, brow raising in interest. Ares had a faint idea, considering the oddball would be hiding out in her lab in the Purifiers base but other than that Ares could never really find the girl. As if she was a mere ghost.

"It was once...In a bathroom stall if you must know. Sure, it was a completely stupid thing for me to even do but I didn't...know her all too well. I knew you though. How your nose was red and how you kept rubbing it...How you were teased for even being a part of a family of werewolves. I know I fucked up but I'm glad I never lost you. Even though now...You have a nephew because of me."

mina pandora oliveira

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!