Levi Bulstrode

Just a country boy several countries away. Would happily call himself a trophy husband, but he considers his husband the real trophy.

[levibulstrode]

marcus-bulstrode​:

Marcus smiled leaning forward to on Levi’s shoulder as he explained to Millie what was happening. He loved how she looked confused and then started to piece things together as he did. 

He also liked the little excited movement she made as she tried to scramble to Levi and he couldn’t help but chuckle a little as he moved to get her out of her bed. After a second though he laughed seeing how intent she was staring at Levi.  In a low murmur he spoke to Levi and said, “Why don’t you pick her up and read her a bed time story.” Looking at Millie he chuckled and said. “Do you want daddy to read you the animal book again? I bet if you ask nicely he’ll do the growl for you.” 

Levi leaned over to kiss his husband’s cheek for the suggestion, a smile already breaking across his face at the request for the animal growl. At Millie’s, “Please please please!” he hoisted her up, giving her a slight swing before settling down into the chair with her on his lap. 

“How could I say no to that face?” he asked, serious despite his teasing tone. Levi summoned the book she wanted over and then glanced at Marcus. “Think your papa would stay and listen too?” he fake-whispered to Millie, amused when she giggled. “it sounds like he’s already read it to you tonight, but maybe he’ll stay to listen this time.”

[levibulstrode]

thebaileyshaw​:

Bailey scowled at his words, glancing into the distance as if she could see those responsible in view. “Irresponsible pet owners are the worst,” she complained, preaching to the choir but still unable to let the moment pass without airing her thoughts, since this was something she was invested in. “They make stupid choices and then other people have to clean up after them, and find space for all their animals. There’s jail time for this, or a fine or something, right? People stink.”

Her train of thought took an abrupt left-turn, though, and her expression shifted to one of shrewd curiosity as she glanced over at him. “What will happen to the clabberts? However many there are? Just- you know, I’m just curious.” She was curious if she could get away with stuffing one under her shirt and making off with it to the Shafiq grounds, but that wasn’t something Levi needed to know right now. 

Originally posted by rewritting-the-stars

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Levi nodded and said, “They definitely don’t make life easier for the rest of us who have to cover their mistakes or for the pets who have to learn a totally different kind of existence.” Plus, Levi had heard of several pets in Wixen England that probably shouldn’t have been treated as pets. The very idea of some of them worried him honestly, but Levi wasn’t going to bring those up to Bailey. Knowing her, she’d go on a crusade to free them.

“It might depend on how wild they are,” he said, instead focusing on her question. “If they’re able to be rehomed, that might be a good first step for them. If they aren’t, they’ll probably go to a creature sanctuary, possibly for Ministry use. I could probably take one or two to Hogwarts, but I don’t have room for a whole flock, and with students around, they need to be at least somewhat okay with wix.”

[levibulstrode]

alex-moody-church​:

Alex swallowed past something heavy in his throat. Right; of course Levi understood. Alex and his family had vocally been against the war, but Levi had fought in it, and Alex couldn’t even begin to imagine the depth of trauma he’d come home with. Even so, being empathized hurt suddenly, and he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the bricks, taking carefully breaths while Levi spoke. 

“Crowd- crowds do it,” he managed finally. “Small spaces. Spaces that are too open. Darkness.” The attacks. His heart constricted. He hadn’t had any in Alastor’s company yet, mostly because his husband was so busy, but even at Hogwarts after Alex’s first stint in captivity he’d hardly been mentally stable. Everything he’d gone through the first time was only worse now. “No- I appreciate it. Really.”

He managed a weak smile. “It can’t be easy for you to talk about this, but ever since I was released I… feel like I’m going insane. Even more than I was in the first place. I know Alastor loves me, but the last thing I want to do is distract him when he already has so much work to do. How… do you mind asking how you started to manage it? I want- I want to come back to Hogwarts in the fall. But I don’t think I can like this.”

Originally posted by historyofbellarke

Levi turned to the side, looking out at the crowd as casually as he could with as serious as he felt. This wasn’t easy, and Levi knew it never would be. But at least he could show Alex that it could get better. Never perfect, but better. He listened without comment to Alex’s list. It seemed so expansive, and Levi knew all too well how hard it was to admit that something that seemed so trivial to other people could set you off so badly.

“It’s not easy,” Levi admitted, “but it’s easier for me than it used to be. And it’s probably easier for me than it is for you. I’m here if you need me.” He took a deep breath, trying to pinpoint where it was exactly. “It helped to figure out how to break my own cycle--those little tricks I mentioned. But Marcus helped a lot more than he realized. I’d been trying to do it on my own for so long, and it wasn’t working. He didn’t fix me or anything of the like, but he did make me feel less alone. He made me want to figure myself out.”

[levibulstrode]

trisxrojas​:

“That is nice. Good bonding moment.” Really, it seemed adorable that they took their kneazle out with them and the fact that it simply decided to be lazy and insist on being pushed make it seem like it was a much loved and coddled pet. Tristan had seen strollers built for two kids and though perhaps that would be a good way to bring about both the baby and kneazle, but he wasn’t sure how to explain it and have it sound right. 

“It is just a pet kneazle? Or do you have it for other jobs?” When you were a kid, anything was considered a pet, but Tristan knew that a kneazle wasn’t just a regular cat. Even if their tails weren’t considered the best material for a wand core, they were still quite capable of protecting a home and could be quite useful and determining which people you should be wary of. A good companion for a child to have, really.

Levi grinned and had to agree. “Just a pet,” Levi confirmed. “We’re had Stevie about since we adopted Millie, and the two get along nicely. I’m hoping Stevie has a nice long life to be there alongside Millie as she grows.” Stevie handled unwanted touches from the toddler remarkably well, and Levi hoped that would never change.

His cleared his throat and gestured toward the cat. “What about yours? Any hidden talents or gainful employment.” The ability to happily take a walk seemed to be one of them, but that didn’t mean anything beyond pet status and a purposeful training.

[levibulstrode]

pippaxstrout​:

“Probably rubber, and I don’t think we’ve got that.” Pip almost hummed looking at the branch curiously trying to see if it would hold like a ladder pull she’d become accustomed too. They were supposed to pull down so people could get out of their fire escapes obviously but when she was a kid she could never get them pulled down, and just would hang and scramble to get up them. 

Pip snorted on the comment and said, “You’re a dad and you work with itty bitty children, Levi. You’re a little boring and that’s not a bad thing. Better than being super exciting and miserable.” Pip rolled her eyes and said, “I mean there’s trees around, but they don’t like you climbing them in the park. Or at least that’s what my Auntie said but between you and me I think she just didn’t want me to fall.”  She looked up and shook her head slightly and said, “I think I can get it. Let me try at least.” 

She wasn’t that short after all, and at one point she could jump pretty high. Without much thought she jumped up and felt her hands catch the branch and for a moment she paused before laughing and pulling herself up. She was sort of proud she still could, but then again the war hadn’t made her soft. Still, she didn’t think Levi would appreciate that idea. 

“It’s solid but I don’t think both of us should be on the same branch.” 

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Levi shrugged, his hands out to both dismiss and acknowledge her point. “We’ll make do without,” he promised. Probably best not to tempt fate and broken bones anyway. Well, tempt outright. Certainly climbing a tree wouldn’t count as tempting it, he decided as he grinned at Pip’s assessment. “Sounds like your aunt had a pretty good excuse going, but it could have been true. Probably depending on the park.” 

He stepped up closer. He’d intended to help boost Pippa up, but clearly she didn’t need his help. For someone who claimed to be a tree novice, she didn’t have bad form. “Do a lot of pull ups?” he teased as he watched her heft onto the next branch. “And yeah, good call. Even if we were kids, it probably wouldn’t be smart.”

After waiting for Pippa to pull herself up to the next branch, Levi echoed her jump. He didn’t keep in the same shape he’d been for the military anymore, but he tried to stay fit, especially for handling the larger creatures at work. The actual climb wasn’t particularly difficult, and soon Levi was leaned against the trunk with one leg dangling as he looked up at Pip’s climb. “Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.”

[levibulstrode]

Most of your clothes are plaid

“That’s not true, but I don’t know if Marcus would appreciate me admitting that most of what I own is just plain. Also, I should point out that plaid and checkerboard are not the same, and I owe about equal of both.”

[levibulstrode]

softboi-malfoy​:

Lucius hovered nervously as close to Narcissa and Draco as he dared without appearing to be hovering. They were here as a family of course, but all too often he felt like he was just there, looming, even if they were his own wife and child. He’d taken the time to find and speak to a few Ministry officials though, and other contacts, while Narcissa and Draco simply enjoyed the day. He’d been headed back to them- could see them now, picture-perfect beneath the bright summer sun- when he caught sight of a familiar face and his step paused. 

“Bulstrode,” he greeted coolly. Though he held a general antipathy for Levi Bulstrode, they had been ministry co-workers, and now Lucius was on the Hogwarts Board of Governors, so he had a vested interest in how Hogwarts ran its staff. “Enjoying the afternoon?”

@levibulstrode

Levi knew Marcus and Millie were around somewhere, and he hoped they were having a good time. He’d wanted to check out the little petting zoo. While he did want to find his family again at some point, he loved the excitement of the fair enough to just get lost in wandering. 

He snapped to attention at the mention of his name, offering Lucius Malfoy a tight smile. He suspected this wouldn’t be a great conversation. “Lucius,” he said, not bothering with surnames. “I am actually. This was a wonderful way for people to have something a little different for a while. How are you?” Even if Levi was uncertain about Lucius himself, his eyes lit up as he remembered seeing their birth announcement. “How are Narcissa and the baby? You two must be so pleased.” Levi thought back to Millie’s itty bitty days. She’d been a couple months old before they got her, so they’d still loved every moment of those early days. Levi knew they both still loved every moment.

[levibulstrode]

rowanmontague​:

“I haven’t read any of what’s been published.” Rowan had, actually, but he wasn’t about to go on some Order-y rant in the middle of a courtroom. And he didn’t even know Alex Church, never had. For all he knew, the dude could have done it and Auror Moody could have just gotten mixed up in the wrong thing. “I didn’t graduate that far back though, and yeah we did all steal stuff. I wouldn’t have gotten this job without all that extra practice– looking back, I’m not sure how determined the old professor was to stop us.” 

Levi clipped his teeth together, willing himself not to protest. It was important to pay attention. Levi had spent a lot of time learning how to healthily stay updated on everything in the world, but his students and daughter deserved for him to stay up to date, never mind Marcus and his direct involvement. “Okay, but I think that’s my point exactly. Sending him to Azkaban on something where he’s following the precedent is just cruel.”

[levibulstrode]

valerijanovak​:

Levi seemed like a really good person – she didn’t think she knew him well enough to make that assessment formally, but he had a cute baby and he smiled when he discovered things that would help his students.  Bad people didn’t do things like that, and the fact that he seemed good made her want to help him.

“I do speak a few other languages – would it be helpful to translate, perhaps, the first few chapters you start the year with?  As an interim measure until you figure out what they really need?”  It was hard, starting Durmstrang in German before she considered herself an expert.  It would have been nice to have notes in Bulgarian or Russian to fall back on.  “Yes, that’s a brilliant idea.  A creature guide – like a sort of study guide to fall back on.  Maybe we can come up with a list of important things to include and I can get to work on that?”

Levi’s eyebrows shot up. He hadn’t considered the possibility before. “That could definitely be helpful! We don’t have a lot of exchange students each year, but the ones we have definitely aren’t all at the same language level with English. Some speak it fluently and some have only ever studied it academically. If we had a few options available, that could be helpful.”

He shifted Millie’s food toward her again where she’d pushed some of it to the edge of her tray and then rummaged through his bag for a copy of the textbook. “Lets see... It would probably be less work for you if we just created one guide, but I can separate it out by year? Then it’s less sorting overall for students when they look through it.”

[levibulstrode]

alex-moody-church​:

Alex swallowed past something heavy in his throat. Right; of course Levi understood. Alex and his family had vocally been against the war, but Levi had fought in it, and Alex couldn’t even begin to imagine the depth of trauma he’d come home with. Even so, being empathized hurt suddenly, and he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the bricks, taking carefully breaths while Levi spoke. 

“Crowd- crowds do it,” he managed finally. “Small spaces. Spaces that are too open. Darkness.” The attacks. His heart constricted. He hadn’t had any in Alastor’s company yet, mostly because his husband was so busy, but even at Hogwarts after Alex’s first stint in captivity he’d hardly been mentally stable. Everything he’d gone through the first time was only worse now. “No- I appreciate it. Really.”

He managed a weak smile. “It can’t be easy for you to talk about this, but ever since I was released I… feel like I’m going insane. Even more than I was in the first place. I know Alastor loves me, but the last thing I want to do is distract him when he already has so much work to do. How… do you mind asking how you started to manage it? I want- I want to come back to Hogwarts in the fall. But I don’t think I can like this.”

Originally posted by historyofbellarke

Levi nodded, listening to the very end and then shaking his head. “I promise you it isn’t a problem. Moving on is hard, and some of that is impossible to ever truly get through. Do you remember that big to-do that got attacked last year?” He laughed bitterly. “Sorry, which one, right?” It was a weak attempt at humor, and Levi pressed on. “I was so freaked out in that crowd as everyone started panicking that I ended up hyperventilating in a corner. It- It wasn’t easy. It never is. Crowds do it for me too. Loud noises, confusion... I have to admit I always wait until the end at Quidditch events for the kids before it’s so overwhelming when they’re all running, yelling, and shoving.”

He paused, realizing he’d been tapping on his leg as he talked. “This is part of it actually,” he said softly and gestured down. “I- During the war, I had six missions. Six operations, I guess you could say. When it was really bad in the beginning, they all blurred together in my head in this cycle I couldn’t break. So I figured out how to organize them. I say their names in the order they happened, and then I start over and go through them again. And again. I got them tattooed on my leg here because sometimes I couldn’t get the words out, and it was a way to help cut my cycle before it really got started. Now it’s almost a comfort. I do it when I’m stressed or worried, and it’s not always a panic attack about to happen.”

Levi reached out carefully and squeezed Alex’s shoulder after giving plenty of time for him to process that it was coming. “Honestly? I would talk to a mind healer. You can find books on things like breathing and counter exercises that are helpful, but a specialist can help you figure out the exact what and why. And by the way? Alastor loves you, like you said. I don’t think he’s going to consider you a burden if you reach out to him. I was a mess when Marcus and I met, and I can’t imagine where I’d be now without him. He didn’t heal me, not even close, but just having him there has made a world of difference.”

[levibulstrode]

thebaileyshaw​:

The owl from Professor Bulstrode had been unexpected, but definitely welcome. Bailey didn’t miss the Ministry, but she did miss caring for the creatures there with him, and he’d also been especially cool about the time she accidentally bypassed Hogwarts wards and also stole his sandwich while in her animagus form. As far as she was concerned, helping Professor Bulstrode check out a clabbert infestation was a delightful vacation. 

“Sure!” As the tent bag was unpacked, Bailey set herself to the task easily, not only familiar with the equipment but competent in a way that belied her muggle upbringing. She didn’t know anything about Professor Bulstrode’s past except that he was- obviously- American, but just the fact that he’d suggested not using magic continued to endear Bailey to him. She occasionally glanced up and around the wilderness, savoring the free air, and wondered if it would be irresponsible if she flew around for a bit later in her other form. 

“We’re not far from where my parents live, you know,” she said, a surprising show of making conversation. “I didn’t realize that clabbert breeding was actually a big problem, you know? But I suppose everyone is paranoid these days.”

Levi grinned as he watched the steadiness and confidence of Bailey’s movements. It never ceased to amazing him how enthusiastically she approached everything, and even when she didn’t quite have the skill to back it up, she had an approximation and a will to learn. That didn’t seem necessary here, though, as she made short work of the task.

Soon the whole tent was up, and Levi dusted his hands off on his pants as he listened to her talk. “It didn’t used to be honestly, but you’re right. That paranoia mixed with just a couple of irresponsible pet owners, and now there’s a small colony established in a place where there shouldn’t be any. My goal today is to get a closer look and figure out an estimate for numbers. Problem is hopefully a strong term, but if they’re breeding fast, who knows what we’ll find?”

[levibulstrode]

marcus-bulstrode​:

Marcus smiled slightly keeping a hand on Levi’s back as they moved to the door. He was fairly sure he heard rustling, and a stilling as Millie tried to pretend that she was a sleep. Usually Marcus would leave after a moment so she could go sleep. 

When Levi spoke he could hear Millie’s excitement and turned on the lights so she could see that it was in fact her daddy. 

It was a sweet moment. A perfect one Marcus would keep close as she saw her giggling as Levi held her. 

“Oh she’s a very good kneazle, aren’t you baby.” Marcus said making a small silly face at their daughter and saying softly, “ Millie, petit chou, we have some good news. Levi would you like to tell her?” 

Levi blinked to adjust to the light, and he grinned as he watched Millie scrunch her nose up at it. That displeasure didn’t last long, though, as she focused on him instead. She nodded rapidly at Marcus’ question, all smiles as she looked between her dads. 

He leaned back, creating contact between himself and Marcus. “You know how Daddy doesn’t come home every night? That’s going to change, Millie-cat. You and Papa are going to eat supper every night, and then I’ll be home in time to play or maybe read a story before bed.”

It wouldn’t necessarily be all the time in the world, but compared to how much he was losing now, Levi couldn’t imagine how amazing it was going to be to see her every day.

[levibulstrode]

pippaxstrout​:

Pip was used to a more -concrete jungle then an actual forest however when Levi had mentioned he was going out into the great outdoors Pip had asked if she could go. One, she’d always wanted to go camping and didn’t mind if it was camping with Levi in the slightest. Two, Levi was probably the safest person to go on an adventure like this with seeing as he actually knew something about the great outdoors. Besides it was fun to tell her Granny she was going into the forest. She’d gotten a chuckle out of it. 

“Huh, we don’t have a tire do we?” Pip said looking up at the branch. “We got rope I’m pretty sure.” 

At the comment she snorted and teased, “ So your husband thinks your extremely faithful and boring, two things we already knew that.” She was joking, the glint of mischief dancing across her eyes. After all, there was loads to do and Levi wasn’t boring. It was also a great way to hide out after the Church trial, her face still healing up from her refusing to heal it. At least out here, she didn’t have to deal with it all.   “You think those branches would support a person? I’ve never climbed a tree.” 

“No, and I’m not sure the best materials to go about transfiguring one if we’re being honest,” Levi said. Theoretically he’d known some things back in the day because American wix drove much more than the British ones did, but Levi couldn’t remember. Plus, his dad had always said that while magic was great, it was only a quick patch until you could buy better tires. 

“Hey now! Faithful? Yes. Boring? Not on your life. I’m incredibly exciting, and he knows it.” Still, Levi grinned. She was right that camping wasn’t exactly Marcus’ idea of a fascinating trip. “Wait, never? I’ve never been to Chicago, but it sounds dreadfully boring. Yeah, this one will probably take you halfway up! Come on, I’ll give you a boost if you need it.”

[levibulstrode]

♛ Marcus

[levibulstrode]

trisxrojas​:

“Hello, Millie.” Tristan greeted politely, giving her a smile as she waved her arm at him.

Drawing closer, he kept petting the cat in an attempt to make sure it was calm and perhaps because the creature was used to antics from people such as Vanja and Xio, it didn’t have much of a reaction to the infant that was busy with a cracker, so Tristan wasn’t too concerned about sitting down. After all, the leash meant it wasn’t as if the cat could run off too far.

“I try to at least a time a week.” Tristan confirmed with a nod, scratching the cat under the chin and sighing when he realized just how much cat hair had been shed on his clothes. “It does not seem fair to keep it trapped in a flat, but this would be a bad place for a cat to be lost, so a leash. We travel together now and then." 

Levi smiled as he watched the other wizard greet his daughter. She was young enough that it was hard to say whether her flapping hand was a responsive wave or mere excitement over her crackers. Either way, he personally thought it was adorable. Levi did have to admit that he was possibly a bit biased. 

“That’s awesome honestly,” he said. “I don’t think my husband or I have ever taken our kneazle for a walk specifically, although I’ve taken it out and about with me if I’m not going very far. Wait, no, I think I do remember Marcus talking about the time he tried to take her while he had Millie in the stroller. Stevie didn’t care for it. She hopped in the basket instead.” He laughed at the thought. He was sure it had been quite something to witness, and it didn’t surprise him that the cat has the same stubbornness as everyone else around.

[levibulstrode]

rowanmontague​:

“Maybe fighting a reporter isn’t that bad,” Rowan conceded, though he was pretty sure he’d signed at least one paper saying he wouldn’t do that. He should really start paying more attention to what those papers said, when it came down to it. “No, like– of course he should testify. But if his husband did what they’re saying he did, which I don’t know one way or the other, then it’d make sense to investigate how much Auror Moody knew about it. For security clearances and all?” He shrugged, hoping talking about his work would be able to get him out of the hole he’d dug for himself. “I.. don’t think so? Nothing’s gone off yet.”

Levi took a deep breath. “I know, but he didn’t do it. Most of what’s been published about it has been pure speculation and fabrication. Yes, things were stolen, but he has the same protections on his stores that have been in place for generations. Why would anyone assume that people would break into the school specifically for that reason? If they knew where it was and how to get to it, that also makes me assume that those were things they realized as students, but I’m not about to try and throw blame on a dead man. The blame lies with people who were determined to steal resources, no matter the circumstances.” 

Personally Levi thought the overall conversation that needed to be had was one about increasing the security at Hogwarts, but he wasn’t going to air that idea to just anyone. Mostly he was concerned about having it with other teachers and trying to convince Dumbledore they should look into more changes. Everyone loved to say the school was safe, but clearly that wasn’t the case anymore.

[levibulstrode]

@thebaileyshaw​

Levi had gathered that while dragons were Bailey’s absolutely top choice in creature fascination, her criteria otherwise seemed to be the more dangerous the better. He didn’t necessarily share that fascination, especially when some of the quietest creatures could be among the most majestic and special. It was possible clabberts didn’t really fit either preference, but Levi had heard about an infestation caused by irresponsible breeding and releasing. He was checking it out mostly as a favor, but as close to muggle towns as they were, Levi figured it was best not to go alone. And well, Bailey’s enthusiasm was a lot, but her knowledge was nearly unmatched.

And really there were worse ways he could spend a weekend than camping with Bailey. “Um, maybe we put the tent up by hand?” he said, already reaching for the bag. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Bailey’s magic, but somethings were only over complicated that way. Besides, half the fun of camping was in the tasks that went with it.