The taller twin

[anyafawleyburke]

location: flourish and blotts status: open to all!

Wendy had always found solace in a room full of books. When she'd been at school and felt homesick, she had often found herself lingering in the library long past the other students. Even as an adult, she would retreat to a bookstore or a library when she needed a quiet place to think and get her mind in order.

Which was why she had sought out Flourish and Blotts that morning. She'd had a less-than-satisfactory conversation with her editor, and had been able to maintain her dignity long enough to retreat from the office and go to her happy place. She'd found a quiet spot in a dusty, disused corner of the shop and leaned against the shelf behind her, tipping her head back and breathing in the smell of ink and paper. "Get it together, Slinkhard," she muttered to herself, shutting her eyes, only to jerk them open again when she heard a sound from nearby.

"Please tell me you didn't just hear me talking to myself," she groaned to whoever was there, face flaming red in embarrassment.

[gideonscprewett]

Gideon chuckled, putting his hand on his heart, trying his best to reassure the woman in front of him as she seemed quite embarrassed by the whole situation. He did not want to make it worse. "I have no idea what you mean, I've not heard anything. I was just thinking how quiet it was."

[amvlias]

Amelia glanced up at him with a soft smile, the kind that lingered longer than it needed to, but the kind that said she'd noticed the effort, and that it mattered. "You don't have to try that hard, you know," she said lightly, though her tone held warmth beneath the tease. "But thank you, I appreciate it." It was true. As someone who was usually independent to the point of stubbornness, it was a nice change.

"I sometimes forget that not everyone is used to being exposed to Muggle things, I can only imagine what Arthur must have been like." She chuckled lightly. Growing up as a half-blood, she naturally had a foot in both worlds so Muggle restaurants were quite normal to her, but she could understand the fascination. "What would you recommend? If you had to pick one thing on the menu that is a must try?"

[gideonscprewett]

"Why not? I think you deserve for me to try my hardest to impress you." He winked at her, leaning back in his chair. Gideon didn't mean to overdo it, but he did mean what he just said. He had finally gotten Amelia to agree to go on a date with him, the least he could do was try and put effort into it.

"How was it, growing up in both worlds?" He was genuinely interested, he much like Arthur had only grown up in the wizarding world. There were some muggle places and customs he knew now and had learnt over time, but his first time in a muggle restaurant had been just as fascinating to him. "I quite enjoyed the Tiramisu, but apart from desserts... their spaghetti is delicious. Can't go wrong there."

[fabxprewett]

Fabian wanted to point out that it was not close to being dead yet, but that didn't sound like the best way to go. His brother was clearly trying to bring him onto other thoughts, but it wasn't really working. "I'm not a coward. I'm a realist, Gideon. But surprisingly, those two things are so very close to one another these days." The man leaned back in his seat and pushed some of the papers in front of him away. "You know what, let's get out of here. Enough papers for now. We have something else to talk about. Namely our sister."

[gideonscprewett]

"I wouldn't say those two are closely related, cowards give up fighting, a realist knows that without resistance we would accomplish nothing." He saw the fighting against the death eaters as important, sitting back and letting them take over, hurt people, kill people, simply because they deem their blood less worthy? It was ridiculous. "Good idea. We are becoming uncles again. By this rate Mol will make me go broke whenever it's time to buy christmas presents."

[tiberiusxmclaggen-deactivated20]

"I think everyone's hopeful that we'll find him soon enough, or that he'll reemerge. But the more time that goes on the less likely it starts to become." He hated to think that way, but surely they would have found otherwise. While he may not have been involved, he was aware that everyone seemed to be looking for him, it didn't bode well that there were zero clues. He chuckled. "Don't I know it, I think I've begun to understand the phrase happy wife happy life." He joked. "Mate she'll love it, I'm sure the two of you will have a great time. And I expect a full report back afterwards. You bringing her anything? Flowers? Going full romantic?"

[gideonscprewett]

"There is no harm in staying hopeful, giving up is the easy option, of course." He didn't want to say logical although it was to him, he knew that if it was Fabian or Molly missing he would never give up looking. He chuckled. "You always were a smart guy." He was glad that Tib seemed happy, he deserved it. "I'll let you know how it goes. I am not, while I want to woo her i do not plan on scaring her away for coming on too strong."

[amvlias]

"I like the sound of that." Amelia replied with a small nod. Whether intentional or not, her work had a habit of leaking in to every part of her life so it would be nice to have even just one evening where it could be put to the side. And for once she wanted to make a point of putting it to the side. Accepting his arm as they headed out, she was thankful that the time of year brought the nicer evenings so she could enjoy the walk from her home to the restaurant. She was surprised at how close it actually was, which had her silently chiding herself for clearly not going out nearly enough.

She glanced up at him briefly with a small smile when she felt his hand at her back, making her way over to their table and sitting down at in the seat he had pulled out for her. "Look at you, quite the gentlemen." She commented lightly as she waited for him to take his seat across from her. Not that she ever thought he wouldn't, of course. "This place looks lovely." She added as she glanced around.

[gideonscprewett]

"So do I." He returned with a small smile. It was easy to lose sight of the outside world, of what they were fighting for, when one spent the entire day working. Their work was important of course, but if one never took a break they would burn out, start becoming less attentive to details. There was certainly enough work to do to occupy you for days on end. He felt comfortable walking down the streets with her, the first time he had been able to turn his brain off and relax for a long time.

"I have to put an effort in for you. You deserve it." He replied truthfully, not trying to be to charm her. Well, technically everything tonight was him trying to charm her, to make her see that perhaps they could be good together. "I've been here with Mol and Arthur once. He's very fascinated with muggle stuff. Food is excellent."

[amvlias]

Amelia held his gaze for a moment before eyes flickered over his outfit. They had exchanged compliments plenty times in the past but they had been easy for her to brush off as just being passing conversation. On this occasion though she found herself actually looking. "Well, the effort paid off. You look good." She replied with a small nod. "My day was also busy, and yes, I swear they seem to be multiplying every time I look away at the moment." There was no doubt that everyone who worked in the Ministry at the moment were feeling the pressures of the current state of affairs. "It'll be nice to leave it all in the office for a night though." She admitted, making her way back over to him once she had her coat and handbag. "Shall we?"

[gideonscprewett]

"Thank you." He gave her an easy smile, clearly pleased that she thought so. He had gotten dressed tonight hoping to impress her, he couldn't show up without putting in any effort. That was unacceptable. Someone like Amelia deserved effort. "I was afraid you would say that. So we shall limit the talk of work tonight, keep things more positive and light." He agreed. He offered her his arm, nodding. "We shall." As it was a muggle restaurant they couldn't apparate there, but the walk wasn't long so he hoped her feet wouldn't be hurting her too much. Opening the door for her when they got there, he waited for her to enter in first. "I got a reservation for two under Prewett?" He smiled at the waiter, who quickly motioned them to follow along, placing his hand on the small of her back he guided her to their table. When they arrived he pulled out her chair for her. Perhaps he was doing too much, but he wanted her to know he could be a gentleman.

[amvlias]

"Thank you, that's very kind of you to say." Amelia replied, glancing down to smooth out the front of her dress. "You clean up well yourself." She added, tone genuine as she took a step back to allow him to head on in. It was true, and not said just out of the need to respond. Even as a friend, she could appreciate that he was a good looking guy. "How has your day been?" She asked, heading through to the sitting room where she'd left her coat. It's only take her a couple of minutes and then she'd be ready to leave.

[gideonscprewett]

"Just being honest." He returned with a smile, keeping eye contact. He had always thought her beautiful of course, but it meant something else to see her look like this for a date with him. "I put on my best clothes for you." It had taken him an embarrassingly long amount of deliberation when he chose his attire tonight. "Busy, but better now. How was yours? Are the case files on your desk piling up like the ones on Fabian's?"

[fabxprewett]

Their views regarding the war and getting through it was completely opposite. "It might be easier, but it also means leaving someone alone during a war that is already hard enough, which makes it even worse by losing a loved one." Death was such a common thing in these days, people disappeared everyday. Fabian did not want to do that to someone. People deserved better than to mourn him during the middle of a war if he didn't make it.

[gideonscprewett]

"You talk as if we're already dead. We will survive this war. The good side will come out on top. If we think like this why bother fighting at all? For what future are you fighting if you're actively preventing yourself from having one? Losing a loved one is horrible, but stopping yourself from letting someone in because you're afraid to lose them- that's cowardice. And I did not think you a coward."

[tiberiusxmclaggen-deactivated20]

Tiberius shook his head at the question, a sigh falling from his lips. "Nothing on that front. Not that I would be the first to know, the Aurors are the ones looking into it. But from what I've gathered they've come up empty handed. It's as though he's disappeared out of thin air." Which simply wasn't possible, something had to have happened, the question was what. There were too many variables at play, too many wishing to be the ones who discovered his whereabouts. He chuckled and nodded. "I think so too, Cressida tends to be the logical one between us, I need her voice of reason more often than not." His smile grew at his friends admission, clapping him on the back. "She's finally said yes? Congratulations mate, I'm thrilled for you! What do you have planned?"

[gideonscprewett]

"I highly doubt that he has disappeared completely. He will be found soon-unless he ran off to another country." It was a possibility of course, there was no real way for them to know apart from following the clues left. If the aurors hadn't found anything- that meant something too. That in itself was a sign that something went wrong. At least that's what he believed. "Women tend to be the smarter gender." He conceded with a chuckle. "She has. Thanks man, I'm excited too. Taking her to this Italian place in muggle London, it has great reviews. Good food without being over the top fancy, I don't want to be trying to hard, I just want us to have a good time."

[tiberiusxmclaggen-deactivated20]

Tiberius' eyes roved over the pub before he spotted Gideon, a grin on his lips as he made his way over and slid into the seat across from him. As someone came to the table he ordered them both a beer before he returned his attention to the wizard across from him. "Not much new I'm afraid, work at the Ministry has been hectic. Attacks continue, now the search for Regulus..." He shook his head. "But Cressida...things are good. We're still maneuvering being married but I mean I married the girl of my dreams so how can I complain." He took a swig of his beer once they arrived. "What about you though? What've I missed?"

[gideonscprewett]

Their friendship was an easy one, both of them getting along without much effort required. They had a friendship for years, one that hadn't been damaged by him going off and getting married. He thought marriage suited Tib, with so much ugliness in the world he was glad his friend was happy. "No updates on that yet, I am assuming?" Otherwise he knew he would've heard something, there were rumors going through the department of course, but no certainty. "Married life suits you." There was a calmness there that hadn't been before. "I've asked Amelia out, tomorrow night. She said yes."

[fabxprewett]

And despite his brother's words, there was still not something said by Fabian, just a grin on his face. His brother and his sister were one of the few who saw Fabian smile. People with whom he could be truly himself but also people who he completely trusted too. "I don't have that need you describe. After the war will be soon enough to think about that." Why would he put someone through the worry of having a partner that could not guarantee to be safe during this period of time?

[gideonscprewett]

"Life is short. You need to do what's good for you." He was never one to panic about the state of the world or dramaticise the situation, but he knew that things weren't looking good, anyone with a good head on their shoulders saw it. They didn't know how the future looked and while he was risking his life every day to provide a better future, he knew that every day could be his last. That meant he didn't want to live a life with regrets, he wanted to actually live instead of holding himself back. "I just think bearing the heaviness of the war is easier if you've got someone by your side."

[amvlias]

WHO: Amelia & Gideon @gideonscprewett WHERE: Amelia's Home, Evening

For the first time in a long time, Amelia felt nervous. She couldn't recall the last time that she had been on a date, let alone one that had the potential to be something meaningful. Agreeing that Gideon would pick her up from her home, Amelia was last minute fussing over her appearance in the mirror when she heard the knock at her door. She was usually such a calm and collected person, but as she reached for the handle she had to pause for a moment and take a deep breath. When she was ready, Amelia opened the door and greeted him with a warm smile. "Hi. Do you want to come in for a minute? I just have to grab my coat."

[gideonscprewett]

Gideon had been looking forward to tonight for a long time, even before he had gotten the courage to ask her out, he had wanted her to take him and his intentions seriously. This wasn't a game to him, he was genuinely interested in her and he hoped that she saw that, or alternatively, that she would see that by the end of this date. When he saw her he smiled back automatically. "Of course. No rush. You look amazing, by the way." Gideon wasn't trying to lay it on too thick, he simply thought she deserved a compliment.

[dailyshameless]

IAN & MICKEY 11.07 — "Two at a Biker Bar, One in the Lake"

[fabxprewett]

@gideonscprewett

[fabxprewett]

"It's better I don't reply now," Fabian said with a grin on his lips. Messing with his brother was just fun from time to time, especially since Gideon seemed to be doing it all the time okay, maybe not all the time to him. "No one for me in the picture. I don't think I would have the time for them anyways." For a moment the man paused in talked before looking at his brother directly, pointing at him. "Don't you dare to set me up on a blind date."

[gideonscprewett]

"You can't just stay quiet now." He looked at his brother, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair, waiting for Fabian to keep talking. "Doesn't have to be anything serious, no one's telling you to go find a wife, but don't you want someone to come home to at the end of a long shift?" It was a desire he had begun having, so he wondered if it was the same for Fabian. "I wouldn't dream of it." He raised his hands in defense, but actually that wasn't a bad idea...

[amvlias]

With happiness radiating off of Gideon, it was impossible for her not to also smile. He had been a constant in her life for as long as she could recall, and she'd always considered him a friend, but she'd always brushed off the idea of there being anything more. But watching him now, perhaps there was something there that she'd previously brushed off. "Okay, I can work with that." She nodded. "And sure, you can just let me know where and where you want me to meet you."

[gideonscprewett]

This date would change things for them, hopefully in a better direction, but even if it wouldn't work out, he knew that they'd be able to stay friends. There was this excitement he felt whenever he was in her company and he wanted to explore that. "8pm? I will owl you the address, but I was planning on coming to pick you up from yours and we'll walk there?"

[amvlias]

For the first time in a long time Amelia actually felt nervous, like dozens of tiny butterflies were trying to escape her chest all at once. She could only hope that outwardly she still appeared calm and that her cheeks weren't as red as they felt. "Tomorrow night works for me, I can clear my schedule." She nodded. "And Italian sounds good to me. How fancy would you say this restaurant is? I don't want to be underdressed or anything, you know?"

[gideonscprewett]

Gideon was excited that she said yes, his smile wide, now he just needed to make sure the restaurant had a table available for them. He was already looking forward to their date, he knew they got along well as friends and he thought that there was potential there for them to be more. "Not that fancy I guess, but not casual? It has white tablecloths. And I've never seen you underdressed, anything you wear will be fine." He reassured her. "I'll write you an owl once I get the time for the reservation?"

[ofxsorcery]

“I will leave the mirrors to you.” Fabian was far from vain, that was one thing he was sure about. He watched for a moment as his brother started to arrange the two piles. Only for a second, however, before he started attempting multitasking as he listened to what Gideon had to say about Amelia. “Added bonus? I would nearly say you hope to bump into her and that I am being used as an excuse whenever you do bump into her,” he mentioned to his brother, a grin on his face to make clear that even him as the ‘designated boring one’ could joke around from time to time.

[gideonscprewett]

"You make me sound like an asshole. I'm not vain." He laughed, shaking his head. Sure, he did care about his appearance, but only the normal amount. A soft shrug of his shoulder, he wouldn't confirm or deny his brother's suspicions. "Perhaps. That may be so. What about you? Anyone you've got your eye on?"