flicker.

We have not touched the stars, nor are we forgiven, which brings us back to the hero’s shoulders and the gentleness that comes, not from the absence of violence, but despite the abundance of it.

[fcnwick]

rjluqin​:

“You sure about that?” Remus deadpanned, a lop-sided grin tugging at his lips. But he wouldn’t. Ever. First: it was gross. Second: he liked his job well enough to not want to lose it. Third: it couldn’t be transmitted that way, but people were willfully and maliciously ignorant, and if someone found out… All reasons passive aggressive customer service was the better choice. Remus snorted. “He’ll have me at four if I stay single any longer.” But that was more likely than finding a partner, luckily for Romulus. It was hard for him to spark an interest like that. Not to mention the torch he still carried and failed to blow out. Stupid, rebellious pureblood black sheep. “I’ll make sure you’re cut off before that’s a risk. Unless you’re that bad at apparition.”

“you know, i wondered why my food tasted funny last time i was here.  i guess now i have my answer.”  he leveled a suspicious look at remus, though it didn’t last very long.  a stupid thought passed through his mind — wouldn’t be the first time they’d swapped spit — but he couldn’t quite get the bad joke to the tip of his tongue, so it died as the conversation shifted.  “i thought i couldn’t stop eating, but you’re about to surpass me if that’s the case.  is this a challenge?”  benjy laughed, but remus did make a point.  “you and i both know apparition has never been my specialty.  still, i’d rather do that a hundred times than be on a broom for more than thirty seconds.  to each their own, y’know?”

[fcnwick]

marloweprewett​:

While it was silly, maybe, to be glad to see the person she saw every day upon returning home, it was nice to know that Benjy was here. It was nice to see a friendly face, especially during a day that was getting her ready to rip her hair out. “Oh, blimey, I feel honored,” she teased, as they walked. “I mean, Fortescue should feel honored as well, if you ask me. Us gracing his shop’s presence in the middle of the day as if we’re students again? Rather good of us.” Marlowe raised a brow at his words and then shook her head, gently nudging him with her arm. “You should’ve asked me,” she said. “I’ve gotten rather good at patching up holes due to the whole living with dragons thing.” While she missed many things about Romania, the constant tears in her robes were not one of them. Lowe would spend many nights under a candle light, trying to sew. “Still, I’m sure Malkin’s will look better than my patchwork. I can get a job done, but not quite prettily. Unless you’d like your robes to look like it’s gone a bit grunge on us.”

“i suppose that’s all well and good, but what’s to stop him from turning the sign to closed the second he sees us coming?  i certainly would if i were him.”  so what if they’d terrorized fortescue’s shop a time or two when they were students?  who hadn’t?  they paid and they tipped, and if they just happened to be as loud as banshees, well.  they had gotten at least a little quieter since then.  “you haven’t seen the robe, marlowe.  it looks like i made room for a third arm, at least.”  he had seen some of her patch up jobs, and while he wasn’t going to call it out — “well, i wasn’t really planning to look like it was my first sewing lesson.  it is the only nice robe i’ve got, after all.  no offense.” — she invited it upon herself, then.

[fcnwick]

lenanemitz​:

Benjy was sweet, really.  He reminded her of an over-eager puppy with those floppy, yellow ears, and she was quite happy that he was among the first people she met after moving here.  It would have been a quite different experience had her first encounters been less pleasant.  

“Oh well –” she shifted, hoping he wasn’t just offering because he pitied her, because it did sound nice to have someone to spend the lunch hour with.  “You won’t bore me,” she insisted as he moved them inside the crowded room.  It was significantly easier to manage with a friend.  “You’re asking me?”  She teased.  “I didn’t start speaking English until I was eleven or twelve.  I think fewer though.”  She was pretty sure.  “But yes, if we can sit outside we should.  That sounds nice, and it’s a lovely day.”

...

“i know i won’t,” he admitted proudly, though he waved it off very humbly.  or he thought so, at least.  nevermind that those two things were in opposition.  “just giving you an out, if you so choose.  no hard feelings.”  benjy crossed his arms, face etched with deep concentration as he stared up at the menu board.  he could barely hear himself think over the sound of his stomach grumbling.  “you — hm.  fair point.  we’re gonna go with fewer.  you know, you probably have a better grasp on the grammar rules than i do.  you at least got taught it, right?  i feel like i was just expected to know it all from birth, which . . . hello?  have you met me?”  it was his turn to order and he had a second of panic where he tried to remember his order.  he was very set on getting a turkey sandwich, like lena had already said, but when he got up to the counter, benjy ordered his usual BLT out of habit.  after she placed hers and they were both waiting, he frowned at her — though it was hard to tell because he was laughing.  “i think i ordered the wrong thing.”

[fcnwick]

dfcresswell​:

Where: Gringotts, Diagon Alley Who: Dirk && open

He saw it happening only when it was too late to do something about it. Goblin culture could seen finicky to those who didn’t understand it but it was just like the differences with other wizarding cultures. Certain symbols and actions that might be neutral or even positive for one group could be deeply offensive to others. The difficulty here was that each Gringotts goblin had their own desk and one thing that they found very offensive was others placing their hands on their desks. For the most part, it was okay. This was why their desks were raised so high, not to keep them above wix (although Dirk was sure that played into it a little bit) but to keep those wix’s hands off their desks. There would always be someone who did it anyway, though, either out of ignorance or defiance.

“That’s not a good idea,” Dirk started to warn, but he had left it too late and already the goblin had become snippy and dismissed the customer with a cold and cutting glare. “Too bad,” Dirk said, “but they consider it rude for guests to touch their desks. You didn’t have more business to do, did you?”

it had taken him a while since arriving home, but benjy finally remembered to go to gringott’s on his day off.  he still had most of the money he’d taken out for his trip, and he was tired of worrying about it.  it wasn’t that much, not once you factored the exchange rate between his parents’ muggle money and the ever-confusing wizard’s system.  he still didn’t understand how it worked, he’d always just let the workers at gringott’s figure it out whenever his parents sent him money or vice versa.  

“hi!  i’d like to make a deposit.  i have — ” was all benjy was able to get out before the goblin started reprimanding him.  he wasn’t even sure what he did;  he’d just touched the desk to give himself some leverage because they were so tall. it felt like he was on his tiptoes taking to the worker.  benjy had a strong look of confusion on his face until he heard dirk talking, and immediately his face turned red from shame.  “oh jeez, i didn’t know.  i feel so bad.”  he looked for the goblin he’d apparently insulted, but he’d already gone.  “i just wanted to deposit some money back into my account, but now i don’t know what to do.”

[fcnwick]

unsiriusnessx​:

Sirius liked having friends he could depend on. Friends who he missed and friends who would miss him. He was always a social person, perhaps a side effect of being raised on a steady diet of Pureblood gatherings. “I have some room in my schedule,” he said with a laugh. “I can pencil you in for some conquering.” He nodded. He wasn’t too interested in photography, didn’t really see the point of it - the real thing was always better - but he loved Benjy’s photos nonetheless. He laughed. He should have expected as much. He didn’t mind. He never thought much of money, not even now. He thought for a moment. “There’s a new place that opened up. Might have a queue that wraps around the building but it’s bound to be expensive. And I think they light their drinks on fire which is my new favourite thing. I know it’s nothing new for us but the muggles think it’s neat and it’s fun to see their faces light up.”

“oh, you’re penciling me in?  i see how it is.  i mean, if you’re too busy for me, i could always find someone else to be my second-in-command.  i bet remus would be a fantastic, uh — deputy conqueror?  we’ll workshop the title.  since your schedule is so booked tight.”  he elbowed sirius playfully, a reassurance that it was merely a joke.  really, no one would have been better suited for the position than him.  “no kidding.”  years of exposure to hogwarts and the wizarding world taught him to steel himself whenever most people started talking about muggles.  but benjy tried not to let it show on his face.  sirius didn’t mean anything by it, right?  “hey, that sounds awesome.  i’d love to try it!  i think we‘re handsome enough to blow past the line anyway.  what’d you say?”

[fcnwick]

mmeartemis​:

Artemis had never bought proper robes before but the more time she spent in the Wizarding world, the more important it seemed. Particularly with Frank back in her life. The Halloween masquerade had been a major fashion faux-pas for her and now she found herself wondering what might happen next. Politics were on people’s lips more and more and one of her clients had even suggested that there might be election campaigns soon, in the wake of some article Artemis hadn’t bothered to read. She didn’t know exactly what an election campaign was but she doubted she should show up to one in clothes bought at a Muggle charity shop, or in her Lucky Mandrake uniform. So, she went to Madam Malkin’s and set about getting herself a good set of robes but it turned out to be a longer process than she anticipated. She had been measured and then dismissed with a request to return later. Apparently having some time to kill in Diagon Alley, she made her way to the exit, reaching the door at the same time as another customer. “Pardon me,” she said automatically and hesitated slightly when he let her go first. That was something she was rarely used to these days but she tried to take it graciously. “Thank you. I’m in no particular rush, though. Apparently I have to come back later.” And she wasn’t sure what she was going to do in that time. She noted his lack of bag and added, “Do you, as well?”

benjy noted her hesitation, though he didn’t think too much about it.  people were rude sometimes.  he gave her a firm smile, hopeful that she’d realize he wasn’t.  “yeah, unfortunately.”  he sighed, trying not to sound too put out by it.  it wasn’t like benjy had anything better to do with the rest of his day anyway.  maybe this was a chance to slow down a little, he really hadn’t since he’d returned home.  “i think they must have gotten backed up in there or something.”  he gave a backwards glance into the shop as he spoke.  “i tore a gnarly hole in my robe and i’ve never been good at mending that stuff.  what’d you come for?“

[fcnwick]

tdtnks​:

Location: Diagon Alley Who: open

It was by instinct alone that Ted managed to catch the letter half-flying, half-skittering across the cobblestones of Diagon Alley. Ted frowned and squinted at it, turning it over. His eyes skimmed the lettering on the back, but the handwriting was chicken-scratch. He craned his head, searching for someone or something who might’ve lost it. Ted spotted nothing; no frantic people, no circling owls, no healers in sight. He glanced at the letter again, but the word were still scribbles. Was than an F or an L?

Motion in the corner of his vision broke his focus. He waved at the disappointingly calm bystander, picking up his feet to reach them. “You didn’t lose a letter did you?” he asked in a hopeful tone, holding it out for them to see. “I caught this, but I can’t read the name or address on it.”

“did i lose — ”  benjy patted himself down, checking frantically for a moment before feeling the letter he did have in his jacket pocket.  “no, we’re good.”  he heaved a sigh of relief and took the letter from ted’s grip.  “how’s it goin’ ted?  this is, uh . . . ”  he squinted, trying his hardest to read the illegible handwriting.  “you know how people joke about doctors having horrible handwriting?  this looks like that.  could be a letter of resignation or a love note.”  benjy glanced around the crowd around him, but no one else seemed to be concerning themselves with the piece of parchment.  maybe it wasn’t that important after all.  “oh!  i think this word might be monday.”

[fcnwick]

damoclesssword​:

Benjy didn’t need to verbalize anything. His raised eyebrow was enough to send the point across. That was for the best, Damocles supposed. He still wasn’t quite used to dealing with matters surrounding the Order outside the Order. So it was better to let others take the lead. Even if it was someone as young as Fenwick. 

As if his stomach was listening to his own question, it grumbled right around the same time the young wizard answered. Thank Merlin for the cacophony of other patrons around them. Working double time on his potion until the sun went down caused him to miss out on dinner. He was probably just as hungry as Bengy. If not more. 

“Let’s find a booth then. Shall we?” Eventually, Damocles found a table at the back of the inn. It wasn’t immediately in sight of the barkeep but at least they were far from other prying eyes. He called a barkeep to their table right away. “I’ll have whatever he’s having.” Usually, Damocles would be more particular with his food but he was far too tired to decide. Hopefully, this would also encourage Benjy to order what he wanted and not consider the price. Although somehow, Damocles has a feeling that won’t be too big of a problem. As they waited for their meals to arrive, Damocles took the opportunity to pick the young man’s thoughts. “Can I ask you something?”

benjy followed damocles to the back of the hog’s head, idly wondering if he should let up on the man.  he didn’t want to come off rude, but he knew sometimes his age played against him.  at work, surely, but in the order too.  at times, anyway.  he glanced through the menu and ordered the first thing that came to mind.  pub food was pub food, right?  still, benjy was surprised that damocles left his own order up to him.  he’d imagined the man to be a little bit higher brow than that, but he supposed it wasn’t the worst thing to see him slumming it.  benjy‘s head perked up a little at the other’s question.  he contemplated a smart remark, but the exhaustion and hunger were starting to get to him, so he figured it easier to play nice.  “sure. hit me with it.”

[fcnwick]

barty-jrouch​:

Benjy’s biting comment just rolled off Barty’s back just as easily as he rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on, dear. It’s not that huge of a loss. They can easily catch up and still make it to the finals if they wanted.” Barty teased a smile which hopefully helped ease Benjy’s look. “You mean lose to me?” With his scarf in hand, Barty threw one of the ends towards the other boy, hoping that he would catch it. It’ll make it easier to pull Benjy closer. 

“We have this spot until tomorrow at 10. By 9, we should be packing up,” Barty reminded both Benjy and himself. The space he got them was the best place he could do considering that Barty wasn’t affiliated to any of the teams nor the organizers. Secluded from the denser areas of the field, the spot wasn’t bad at all. “Do you want to walk around and check more of the stalls?” Barty’s persuasive smile returned. “Or do you just want to stay inside until morning?” Barty clearly prefers one over the other but he’ll have to wait for Benjy’s answer before he shared his mind.

“yeah, yeah. i know.”  benjy replied nonchalantly, waving barty off with his hand.  “easy for the winner to say.  i just wanted to see your face when the wanderers won.”  he was trying his hardest to sound like a real quidditch fan.  and as long as barty didn’t ask him to name more than a player or two, he was confident he could keep up his facade.  “nah, i actually meant tutshill.  some of the best out there, really.”  maybe?

he caught the scarf and put up a show when barty began to pull him in . . .  though it lasted all of ten seconds before he happily came in close.  “ugh, how’d i let you talk me into getting up that early on my day off?”  benjy took his end of the scarf and looped it back around barty, closing the gap between them.  “i did see a candy stand out there that looked pretty enticing,”  he told him without a trace of sincerity in his voice,  “but i think i could come up with a better way to spend the night.”

[fcnwick]

rjluqin​:

“Gets a bit weird when I’m serving friends, don’t you think?” Although, his presence was probably the reason half of his friends did show up here. He knew Sirius loathed this place. Remus couldn’t imagine Lily walking through that door if not for him. The Cackling Stump wasn’t the worst pub in the world, but there were better dives in better places. “I’ve been alright.” Surviving, he wanted to answer, but was dourer than the truth. “I eat three meals a day”—usually—“and haven’t lost any limbs since last I saw you. You?” Benjy did look intact.

“yeah, can’t spit in our food if you’re the one serving it to us,”  benjy said dryly.  it was enough to make him laugh, because remus was one of the last people he could imagine spitting in a customer’s food, even if they were rude.  he’d probably just sarcasm them out the door, which was a respectable strategy.  “oh, he’s up to three whole meals?  that’s progress!”  he cracked, clapping remus on the shoulder.  benjy patted himself down, like he was checking to make sure . . . “yup, all of my limbs are present and accounted for.  not a single splinching incident, which — ”  he knocked on the wooden table, just in case.  “hopefully i didn’t just jinx.  whoops.”

[fcnwick]

marloweprewett​:

While Benjy was one of her favorite people to be around, she wasn’t expecting to see him in Diagon Alley that way. She spotted him in the window of Malkin’s and was quickly pushing in, only for him to be rushing out. “Actually, I was hoping we could go that way,” she laughed, watching as he realized who she was, and followed her finger to the street. “I hear there’s a new flavor at Fortescue’s and while I don’t usually have ice cream on my breaks… I usually have ice cream on my breaks, so.” Lowe grinned, nodding her head so that she would walk with him, turning the corner onto the cobblestoned streets. “And why are you making a visit to the illustrious Madam Malkin’s today?” While she’d never been good with a needle and thread herself, she’d learned how to fix small holes just so she’d never had to step back into Malkin’s. She hated the woman, for no reason other than the fact that her mother once forced her into a gown there once. 

his face lit up when he recognized the person he collided with to be none other than marlowe.  benjy was about to ask what she was doing, but she beat him to it.  “well, shit.  and i was about to accuse you of ditching work.  lemme check my busy schedule first — ”  he thought it over for all of half a second before enthusiastically agreeing.  “i suppose i can pencil you in.  but only as a favor to fortescue, of course.”  benjy cast a glance back inside malkin’s one last time, hoping that a quick lunch date would give them enough time to finally finish his robe.  “oh, you know.  your idiot world traveller roommate managed to tear a gnarly hole in the side of his robe when he was bouncing from fireplace to fireplace for work.  classic, right?  not that i wear it that often, but if i don’t do it now, i know i’ll forget about it til the next time i go to put it on, and accidentally shove my arm through.”

[fcnwick]

unsiriusnessx​:

“Benjy!” he said, leaning into the other man as he slung an arm around him. He was already a few drinks in that night and his cheeks flushed from alcohol and excitement as he smiled at his friend. “Where have ya been, you bugger?” he asked. “Was about to send out a search party, almost thought-” He cut himself off. Normally that would be a harmless joke, but lately, he didn’t want to end that sentence. “Would have gotten a handsome reward for finding you if you were missing, that’s for sure. Did you take your camera and get lose somewhere?” He patted Benjy on the back hoping they could overcome any tension he may have injected into the conversation. “Where to? It’s a hero’s homecoming. We’ll spare no expense.”

it was nice to know he’d been missed.  was it selfish and a little childish?  yeah, probably.  but benjy was who he was, and sirius’s reaction made his heart swell a bit.  so what?  “you didn’t hear?”  he paused for a second, allowing for just a touch of dramatics.  “i was out conquering the world, mate.  you can be my right hand man, don’t worry.”  he flashed a toothy grin to sirius.  “something like that.  but i’ll have to show you the photos i took while i was gone!  come over once they’re developed.”  benjy feigned a moment of deep thought.  thinker pose and all.  “well, if you’re paying . . .  what’s the most expensive place to grab a drink?”

[fcnwick]

barty-jrouch​:

where: a tent in rural Scotland when: after a Quidditch Match who: Barty Crouch Jr. and Benjy Fenwick ( @fcnwick​ )

When the Wigtown Wanderers were up to have a match with the Tutshill Tornadoes, Barty already knew that it was a match his father wouldn’t be interested in. It was the perfect chance to whisk Benjy away for a weekend. Away from both of their occupations that have kept them busy. Away from family. Away from the Death Eaters who have had their eyes on him ever since he joined. It was the perfect time to ask Benjy a question he had been wanting to ask for quite some time.

The match kept him at the edge of his seat, ending in a win for the Tornadoes when they snatched the snitch as well as their third triumph for the season. Barty led them back to their tent where he dropped off the flags and streamers he bought to show his support. He looked back at Benjy as he unraveled the scarf on his neck. “I know this trip was mostly for me, but I hope you still had fun.”

benjy had been somewhat of a fan of quidditch ever since he first discovered the sports’ existence when he started hogwarts.  he could never play — flying class was dreadful in and of itself — but he loved supporting ravenclaw back then.  now, however, his interest started and ended with the english national team.  he didn’t care much for the individual teams, because frankly there were too many to keep up with.  but he never turned down a free trip, whether it be through work or pleasure.

and here he was  (definitely fulfilling the latter category),  reunited with barty in the middle of nowhere after a rousing game.  benjy heaved a dramatic sigh as he took off his wanderers hat, as though he hadn’t just purchased it that day.  “well, it would have been a lot more fun if my team had won,”  he said, shooting a pointed look at barty that wilted in a second,  “but there’s hardly anyone else i’d rather lose to.”

[fcnwick]

damoclesssword​:

Damocles gave the young man a small smile. It was almost a bashful one. Of course, it was wise not to discuss matters about the Order outright in public. Damocles has never blundered, but he still has a lot to learn about being prudent with such matters.

After figuring the error of what he said, the potioneer nodded instead. “Of course,” he muttered. “Not the drunks,” he added, just in case it needed clarification. “I came here too late, I suppose.” Damocles ended his work early for no good reason. Unless… “Are you hungry?” he asked. The potioneer himself was quite famished. “Or thirsty perhaps? I can get us something. My treat.” There’s no point in letting his trip go to waste, so he thought that he might as well.

benjy probably shouldn’t have gotten as much of a kick out of tormenting a man nearly double his age as he did, but... ah, well, who was he kidding?  being among the youngest members of the order, he didn’t often get a chance to feel superior to anyone, so.  this was as close as he got.  he arched an eyebrow as damocles corrected himself, deciding to let him get to the point on his own.  benjy took a rather large swig of his drink in the interim, internally enjoying this a lot more than he showed.  “well . . .  actually?”  realistically, he probably shouldn’t.  hanging around with another member after the meeting?  could look odd.  but then again, damocles had missed it anyway.  and benjy was hungry.  “fine.  yes to both, i suppose.  why not?”

[fcnwick]

lenanemitz​:

…

“Oh!”  Her shoulders relaxed as she recognized Benjy.  It had been a long time since she had last seen him, maybe months.  It was always a welcome sight to come across one of the handful of people she knew well enough here to miss.  “I um – I was thinking about it, but I hadn’t completely decided yet.”  She looked around, eyes flicking between the long line, the sandwiches in the window, and then back to Benjy as she looked for an excuse that wasn’t embarrassing.  “I was just trying to decide if I was hungry, but if you were going to stop in…” she trailed off hopefully.

Benjy was an easy person to like, to feel comfortable around.  He was an easy person to befriend, and that wasn’t easy for her to admit.  Isolation had become her norm over the past ten years, and, although she was trying to do better, it wasn’t an easy pattern to change.  “I could maybe do a bit more than window shop for a nice, turkey sandwich.”

...

he stood patiently—well, as patiently as he could—as he waited for the right time to butt in.  benjy had gotten to know lena well enough now that he could tell when to let her circle around the point, and when to give her a gentle push in the right direction.  it was a delicate balance, and people really didn’t give him enough credit.

“well, it’s decided.  we’re having lunch together.  you can’t tell me no, either.”  his face was stern for a full two seconds before he couldn’t help himself from smiling.  “but you can fake an urgent owl if it turns out I’m boring you.”  benjy lovingly, albeit unyieldingly, ushered her inside and to the line.  “if it makes you feel better, it looks like a table outside should be opening up in a moment.  if you’d rather sit out there.  less noisy, less people.  or is it fewer people?  grammar’s never been my thing.”

[fcnwick]

rjluqin​:

location: the cackling stump who: @fcnwick​

The atmosphere of the Cackling Stump was surprisingly subdued when Remus’ long break rolled around. On the one day they had decent food in the pub, no one was here? Well. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Remus dried his hands on the towel and stepped away from the bar. Just as he was about to slip into the back, the charm on the door signaled some new had entered at the pub. Benjy’s face was immediately familiar. Remus shot him a small wave before slipping in the back but, rather than eat in peace away from the customers, he grabbed his food (too late to be called lunch, but a little to early for him to consider it dinner) and headed back out. Spotting Benjy at one of the tables, Remus beelined there.

“I’m on break,” he said, scooting out the chair opposite of Benjy, “so I hope you weren’t expecting me to get you anything. But I could use the company if you wanted it.”

there was only one reason benjy ever went to the cackling stump, and it wasn’t for the overpriced beer on tap.  he came to see his friend, remus, and it seemed like he had the perfect timing.  benjy saw himself to his usual table after waving.  he worried for a moment that remus was busy, but he reappeared with food a moment later and joined him.  “ah, dammit.  and here i thought my favorite bartender could serve me,”  he cracked with a grin.  “i guess i’ll have to settle for one of your coworkers.”  and speaking of, one of them came by, and benjy placed his order.  continuing after they left,  “but i certainly won’t turn down the company if you won’t.  how’ve you been?”

[fcnwick]

unsiriusnessx​:

Who: Open

Where: The Leaky Cauldron

When: March 11, 1983

Sirius had the weekend off. Well, technically speaking he had every day of his life off. But he took his jobs in The Order and as godfather to Harry very seriously - as serious as Sirius could. This weekend was completely open and Sirius was looking to spend it partying.

He wasn’t sure what time it was at this point. He’d lost count after the second bar. The Leaky Cauldron wasn’t his favourite place to go, but his original group of friends had abandoned him and he was looking to find more people he knew to drag to a more interesting bar. He strode up to the bar, placed some money on the surface and grinned at whoever would pay attention to him first. “If I buy you a drink can I get you to come to a better bar with me?”

it was his first night off since coming home and benjy planned to make the most of it.  the leaky cauldron wasn’t the best haunt, but the drinks were cheap and the service was decent enough.  he’d just finished off his first pint when he heard a familiar voice call out.  benjy swiveled in his seat to meet — “sirius!”  he swung an arm around his shoulder and smiled back at his friend.  “are you trying to get me out of here?”  he arched an eyebrow, serious for only a moment before he started laughing.  “if you’re buying, i’ll go anywhere you want.”