mors tua, vita mea

cursebreaker & shop owner.  21. ravenclaw.  neutral. half-veela

[bitterxbeat]

1970 Triwizard Tournament 

Tallest Tree Outside The Quiddich Pitch

If AJ spent one more second inside listening to Aiden rattle off about this stupid tournament, she was going to lose her mind. She retreated to where she alway retreated – the quidditch pitch. Except this time, she didn’t go where he would suspect. She wasn’t going to be playing around on her broom. With a cartwheel and a quick jump, Amizetta landed herself on a branch a tree. She reached up, grabbing hold of a higher branch. She repeated this step various times until she was at the top. She grinned, looking out at the open sky. It was beautiful. Hogwarts was beautiful and always so freeing. Her father couldn’t get them here. 

How long she had sat in the tree, she couldn’t have told anyone if she were asked. She had traded off from various drumming against branches, a little bit of singing, some walking along thick branches like they were balance beams. Now, she was swinging on a stronger but thinner branch. Her hand slipped though and she came landing to the ground. She landed directly in front of someone on her feet and grinned. “I am so sorry…” She immediately apologized and looked around. “Shoot. You haven’t seen my other half coming this way, did you? If you did, don’t tell him you saw me…” She jumped up, reaching for the lower branches and moving to pull herself into the tree. 

[jackborgin]

Flinching back as someone almost landed right on top of him, he gasped. “You almost killed me” Jack stated dramatically, suddenly then realizing it was his friend. “AJ?” The Ravenclaw quirked a curious brow. “Merlin’s tits,” he chuckled. “It’s me, calm down I won’t tell.” He smirked and watched as she began to pull herself back up into the tree. Jack quickly scrambled behind her to follow. “So long as you’ll let me climb with you,” he added. “People have bloody lost it with this stupid tournament, honestly. I can’t stand hearing about it anymore.” He hoisted himself up into the tree easily, looking up to see where Amizetta was headed. 

[jackborgin]

victoriaburkee​:

“Just a muggleborn who I’ve gone out with once. She’s a fun time, helped me upgrade my wardrobe incase you didn’t notice.” She motioned towards her more modern and fit business casual outfit she was wearing, compared to her usual and boring slacks and sweater. “You can go find her, she works at Madame Malkins.” She smirked a bit, seeing the cigarette come out of his pocket. “Ohhhh, are we feeling confident? Making a counter bet?” Victoria leaned onto the desk, moving the items out from under him. “Can’t wait to see those receipts, Borgin.” She said his name with a bit more attitude than normal, trying to ignore his awful nickname for her. 

While Jack didn’t exactly care either way what someone’s blood-status was, he did know that the Burke’s were rather uptight about that sort of thing. But so was his own family. Purebloods. “Oh Ms Burke.” The wizard’s voice raised an octave as he impersonated an old lady. “Hangin’ out with those no good folk” He playfully wagged a bent lanky finger at Vic and hunched over like an old woman as he leaned toward her. Jack titled his head and looked down at Burke’s new outfit. It was rather nice. It was rather lovely. Much more flattering for her figure than what she’d worn on most other occasions. Maybe he would go pay this young seamstress a visit.

Picking up an official looking piece of paperwork off the desk, Jack examined it lazily. “Yes, quite confident. And you will see those receipts. I’ll make them very special just for you.”

[jackborgin]

victoriaburkee​:

“Evidence? Pft. Please…” Victoria laughed, finishing picking up the things that he hadn’t moved all day before sitting down in her chair behind her desk. “Just ask Brielle White, we went out just the other night.” She knew she could tell Jack about her little outing with the muggle born girl, he wouldn’t be one to go blab to her parents about her poor choice in company. “I won’t get my outfit ready, it will be a while before you actually put in any work here.” She loved egging him on, it was probably her favorite thing to do as she knew it bothered him immensely and he didn’t like people telling him what he could and couldn’t do. “Charming, maybe in an certifiably insane sort of way, sure.”

“Who in Godric’s great grundle is Brielle White?” Jack flopped down dramatically on the side of Vic’s desk, nearly spilling some of its contents to the floor. Despite the way he threw himself about like a ragdoll, the wizard somehow managed to retain some of the grace given to him by his Veela mother. “She sounds made up.” Though maybe he should meet her to find out what her secret was on getting Burke out. Lanky fingers pulled a cigarette from the silver case in his pocket and stuck it between his lips. Knowing very well Burke was egging him on, Jack sat up and glared at her in the same playful way he always did. Oh she was good. Telling him he couldn’t accomplish something–what a way to get him to actually accomplish something. Burke must have been some sort of evil genius. “Oh I’ll be selling those items, Tater Tot.” He promised with a waggle of his brow. “So how’s about we make it interesting? If I lose I’ll open mornings for a month.”

[jackborgin]

meadowxs​:

Dorcas couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped from her lips when she caught the face of the one Jack Borgin. Further, she could not stop the full aw that left when he produced a flower from between his fingertips. The dazzling red and green of the floor becoming the second brightest thing in the alleyway. Her eyes danced along the ruby red petals before taking step closer to Jack. 

“You scared the living daylights out of me, you know!” Dorcas teased, as she leaned forward and smelled the rose. The beautiful scent flooding her senses as she smiled up at the man who had swiftly become a dear friend of hers. She felt the smallest blush cross her cheeks at his endearments for her. 

“How are you doing handsome?” she replied before looking the man up and down, taking in his more weathered look before checking her watch. “Shouldn’t you be at the shoppe? I know a certain someone is not gonna like if they found out you were bumming off work again?” 

It pleased Jack to know that he had in fact given her a good startle and he wore his smile as if he’d just won a trophy. Overly pleased with himself and feeling a bit cocky, he waggled his thick eyebrows some more before feigning an apologetic expression. “Forgive me?” Jack tilted the small flower toward Dorcas so she could have a smell of her own before offering it to her. Though it was made of magic and not permanent, it would look better accompanying Dorcas than it would himself for the time being. “Picked that little number up from Abracadabra last week.” Though he wasn’t necessarily a fan of reading, he did rather enjoy the Prophet’s articles on spells and charms. Most of them were easy enough a child could pick them up.

“Hungover. I’m fairly positive I’m actually wilting.” Though that wouldn’t be a surprise to her. Though they had somewhat drifted apart after he left the Ministry, Dorcas knew him well enough to know his habits at the pub. Everyone did. “I can feel the sunlight burning my fragile corneas as we speak.” fumbling through his pockets he finally found a rather silly looking pair of sunglasses and put them delicately onto his face.

At the mention of the shop, Jack let out a childish groan and rolled his eyes. “Oh the shop is fine,” he insisted. “Beyond fine. Burke will be back any minute now, see'll see the sign I left.” Having met the quota of more than three objects sold in one day, he relished for her return so he could rub the sales in her face. She’d see them in the ledger before he returned undoubtedly. After all, four was more than three wasn’t it? “Besides, she owes me now. Seems I’ve won a bet.”

[blackknight-reg]

Birthdays are for suckers| Open

“ Look it is my birthday, If I want to skip out on my party I will.” He growled out. He should have known his mother would make a big deal out of his parent, it was only a matter of days now before she told him of his engagement to someone. He sighed grabbing a bottle trying to sneak away.

[jackborgin]

“Reg! My darling boy! Birthday boy!” Jack called after his friend, his breath so saturated with alcohol the air he expelled from his lungs was probably flammable. He wobbled through the small crowd, shoving people out of the way as he went. Snatching someone’s ale from their hand as he passed by, he followed the sulking wizard. Taking a long pull from the stranger’s glass, he watched Regulus for a moment before approaching, throwing caution to the wind. “Where are you headed, Mister Black? This little party is for you! Don’t you want to see the ridiculous cake I bought you? It’s got all two hundred and forty candles on it.”

[vviitchery]

Loose stones and dirt crunched under her feet as she walked aimlessly through the cobblestoned alleyways of Diagon Alley. 

Dorcas found herself here, feeling nostalgic of the past, yearning for when her world was simpler. Missing the excitement of buying dumb pranks and little candies to make it seem she was ill to get out of classes . She breathed in the lingering smell of sweet shoppes and the excited talking of strangers kept her mind away from truly being present as she walked. Dorcas wasn’t sure what she was looking for or why she was in there but it was cleansing to be in alone in a crowded place.

She took a weary look down an empty alley and decided to turn down. The light of the sunset getting dimmer and dimmer with every foot. 

Her heart stopped when she heard the sound of someone else’s footsteps behind her as she continued past the stone walls of empty businesses. Stopping in her tracks, Dorcas pulled her wand from her coat– moving slowly as to not alert the person behind her what her intentions were.

With a quick pivot, Dorcas readied her wand and pointed it at the person she saw with a deadly glare. “Petrific–,” she started to shout before stopping mid-curse when she made eye contact, “What the hell do you think you’re doing!?”

[jackborgin]

It wasn’t unusual for Jack to be stuffing his face with food after an evening of a torrential downpour of alcohol. Hangovers, while cure-able with a simple pepper-up potion still left Jack feeling fuzzy in the head. He liked to wallow in the pain and self-pity, contemplating his mistakes knowing good and well he’d do them again. 

Though he was supposed to be working, Jack had put up his infamous handmade sign that read ‘Out to Lunch’ on the door of Borgin and Burkes. Bored out of his mind and picking at the remains of a freshly destroyed sandwich, someone outside caught Jack’s eyes. Had Dorcas Meadows really just wandered by? Dearest Dory? Light of his life?

Dropping his payment on the table beside a nearly empty plate, the wizard scrambled out from his seat by the window and flailed his way down the alley after her. Finding himself in a playful mood, he crept behind her, seeing whether or not he could startle her.

“Eh voilà,” Never one to flinch at the sight of danger–and you’d better believe Dorcas Meadows was in fact danger–Jack wiggled his long fingers above a closed hand in a scene of melodramatic theatrics.  A small flower bloomed between his fingers and floated there for a moment. “A flower for the beautiful ma chérie.” Putting the sweet smelling bud to his nose he waggled his eyebrows and wandered closer to the witch. “Hiya, sweetness.”

[jackborgin]

blackknight-reg​:

Regulus chuckled at his corrections and his tone, glad to see he wasn’t the only one with a distaste of their parents. “ That is too bad, must sucks being a disappointment to them.” He teased. “ I will agree my mother hates my job but she wanted me to work at the ministry and said I could pick the department.” He shrugged he didn’t care what she thought at his point he was an adult.  “ I like my job, and her disapproval of it makes me love it even more. I wanted to be a quidditch player, but none son of hers would be riding a broom for a living, so this was the compromise.” 

“Oh, on the contrary,” He smirked. “I’m a proud disappointment. I don’t see why people would want to be anything like their parents or why they’d want make their parents happy.” His parents in particular, were a special kind of awful. The neglectful and scornful. They didn’t bother giving him attention until they did something that displeased him. It was enough to make Jack green just thinking about it.

“I knew it,” Jack nudged the other wizard and gave him a fond smile. “I can smell rebellion, y’know.” He tucked his cigarette between his lips and tapped his nose. The curse-breaker was rather proud of Reg for aiming for disapproval on purpose. He liked when people stood up for themselves. Showed they had a backbone. “Fuck compromise. I still support your dream of being a Quiddich player! It’s what y’deserve if it’s what ya want.” 

[jackborgin]

moonyrlupin​:

Remus chuckled again at his dramatics, grabbing the beer once the barkeep placed it in front of him. “ No I don’t need work, I took a sabbatical from work, Got dumped by Sirius and went to visit my dad, things were crazy for a bit, but I’ve got a few lined up, but if you need help with Gringotts I would love to come with you.”

Happy to see Remus enjoying his new beer, Jack smiled and lit a cigarette with the tip of his finger. But before he could take a proper puff, it snapped between his fingers. “Sirius dumped you?” Jack scoffed at the statement. “What a little twat!” After taking a quick drink of his ale he shook his head. “I’m sorry about that, Remus. Shit’s tough.”

[jackborgin]

spare-sister​:

She nodded. “Smart.” she said watching as he obviously seemed in love with the work. She understood that both from a personal prospective and also from watching her friends work. She knew what passion looked like. “Blimey. so tell me what the curse did. Was it the moment you touch it it tore you in half or was it more an internal shredding.” she said looking up at him.

She rolled her hand. “I haggle Jack. I don’t try and rob you.” she said but she understood it was probably best not to trust everyone that came into the shop. She smirked a bit. “You have a good name.” she asked as she opened the book her fingers tracing over the grotesque pictures and words. “Seriously though the most that’ll come out of this are some new potions hopefully that will help everyone.”

Violet’s question was really quite a fascinating one, one that hadn’t escaped him at the time he was removing the curse. What had been the nature of the shredding he wondered. Though he had been able to identify the type of curse it was and its possible effects, he had no idea what the actual outcome would have been. As he thought about it, he draped himself over the counter, hand holding up his head in deep concentration. After all, he was meant to break them, not study them. Although how exciting would that be. “Having experienced neither first hand, I would assume it would be internal until becoming external.” His nose wrinkled at the thought. 

“But that’s what haggling is, you little thief!” Jack protested from behind the counter, slamming his hand down. “It’s a socially acceptable form of stealing. That’s why they call deals, steals. It’s a dangerous thing for a shopkeep.” His harsh tone came out in a theatrical squawk.

[jackborgin]

blackknight-reg​:

jackborgin

Regulus was sure his eyes were going to hurt from the amount of time he rolls his eyes in his presence. “ So you are saying that Mummy and Daddy didn’t bully them into giving you the job? Looks like I own money to a few people.” He teased. “ You have to be one of the most dramatic people I have ever met in my life, Borgin. I don’t take mercy on people, my last name is Black.”

He caught up with him easily taking a drag from his cigarette. “  Report of the games, I’ve recently been working on a radio program.”

"Mother and father,” Jack took a bitter tone only reserved to speak of those most bitter people. “Don’t approve of my position and never will.” Not that his father could approve of anything now that he was dead. “But that’s what makes it so fun, hmm?” Regulus must have some feeling of what that was like. The two shared a fierce independence that couldn’t be contained by their family legacy. “Besides, I don’t work for the Ministry anymore. Far too many rules for my tastes.” A smirk formed on his lips at the mention of his last name. Well aware of who Regulus was, recounts of his family’s prowess meant little to him. 

“Radio? Well isn’t that somethin’.” Jack practically purred. “What’s mummy think of that?”

[leepace]

[flawlessgentlemen]

[chocome]

[jackborgin]

blackknight-reg​:

jackborgin

“ Just because you are a curse breaker doesn’t mean you are better than me, Borgin, people always regret underestimating me.” He stated. He was good, highly-skilled, he just lazy most of the time. “ I don’t play a snobby child.” He said shoving his shoulder. “ I work at the ministry. In the games and sports department.” It was a glamorous job, but he loved it, and it pissed off his mother.

“It most certainly does,” Jack quipped back. “Then perhaps don’t underestimate my ability to do my job. You know I wouldn’t do it if I wasn’t better than most wizards at it.” Taking a dramatic near tumble to the ground after he was pushed, Jack feigned being injured and hobbled for a few steps. “Oh ouch,” he groaned dramatically. “I know you’re a formidable opponent, Regulus. Please, have mercy!” 

Straightening up almost immediately, he chuckled and looked back over his shoulder at Reg. “Oh, how quaint. That sounds rather fun. What do you do?”

[jackborgin]

victoriaburkee​:

Victoria nodded her head, she knew that would be the answer. Most people who came into the store when Jack was working tended to leave without a word from him, unless they already knew him. “You’ve got to work on your sales skills, especially if you want to win..”

“I’m perfectly capable of having a good time, Borgin. You just haven’t had the pleasure of seeing me enjoy myself in your company. What does that say about you, hmm?” She gave him a bit of a smirk before walking back to her office. “Like I said though, more than three items sold in one day. Only then.”

Stretching and wander toward the counter, he leaned against it lazily. “Oh I’ll win” Jack said confidently. With something as important as this bet on the line, he couldn’t risk losing. He would never hear the end of it if he wasn’t able to sell more than three things from the shop. “I happen to be quite charming.” That is, when he wanted to be. And maybe to those who knew him. Damn maybe this was one of those odd occasions in which Burke was right. 

“Ah ah! I’d like to see some evidence for that statement, Burke.” Jack said hitting his hand on the counter as if it were a judges gavel. “And those weird charcuterie parties don’t count.”

[jackborgin]

moonyrlupin​:

jackborgin

“ You’re welcome, I can’t believe no one sees how amazing it is.” Remus thought Jack was one of the most amusing people he has ever met. “ They have a wicked bite, it would be best to stay clear of them, the gold isn’t worth it.” He chuckled. “ I’ve been taking a break, you know lounging around the house, drinking, and being broke.” He chuckled. “ But I had a case last week, small curse in Surry, nothing that almost cost me a limb.”

“I know,” Jack groaned dramatically in disbelief, finally happy someone was there to commiserate with him. Getting the barkeep’s attention, he bought another round of beers for him and Remus. It was only fair after being offered one by the other wizard. While Jack would never know the feeling of broke, he did understand the lounging around the house bit. “You need some work, Remus?” Jack asked genuinely. “Gringotts has got me on for one of their vaults next week. I’ll split the earnings if you come along.”

[jackborgin]

spare-sister​:

Her eyes widened a bit. “Fuck that.” she said the curious look in her eyes. “Were you able to transport it while cursed or did you have to remove the curse before bringing it back to the shop. How long did the entire process take.” she said. She easily went from trying to look and sound tough to trying to learn all the knowledge she could especially on something like curses. It was something she’d never been particularly good with. 

“Oh I wasn’t. I just hoped you saw the insult as it was.” she said in a teasing tone. She pulled the galleons out of her purse setting them on the counter. She probably shouldn’t be spending all this money on a book but she was never one to really hold back when it came to knowledge.

Now that Violet had seemed to take an interest in his work, Jack felt himself relax a little. Leaning back casually against the counter he looked at the now harmless book and flipped through a few pages of it. “I like to remove the curses before transport. Less messy that way I find” He replied. “Breaking the curse only took a few hours. Almost lost my arm to it though.” Looking down at his limb his wiggled his fingers and closed his hand into a fist. The thought at losing a limb didn’t scare him necessarily, but he didn’t enjoy the thought of phantom limb syndrome. 

“Fantastic.” Taking the money like a greedy thief, he counted it out in his palm to ensure he wasn’t being swindled. When it was all there in exact change, he handed Violet the book. One item down, three more to go if he wanted to win that bet with Burke. “Just so you know,” Jack mentioned offhandedly. “If you are going to make anything unsavory from that book, just don’t get caught.  I don’t particularly like my good name being dragged into scandal.” He pat her on the head and vaulted back over the counter to deposit the money and record the purchase in their ledger.