𝐨𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫 @ncttt - Tumblr Blog

*actually cares very deeply but acts like an asshole*

who: open. where: the leaky cauldron.

forearms were leaned against the bar top of oak. eyes trained on the dark liquid in his glass. brandy, always his preferred choice. he had drank far too much champagne the night before and the headache that still lulled in his head was another reminder. taking conscious sips, alexander heard the seat next to him move. the legs of the stool screeching against stone and he snapped. “ for merlin’s sake, not so loud. my head’s still ringing. ”

#・。 ◟ / 𝐧. open .#diagon starter #this is v uncreative

amelia bones.

Acquiring a glass of wine from the refreshment table, the first sip had barely touched her lips before Amelia heard a voice just off to her left. Glancing around to realise that the question was directed at her, the witch cleared her throat as a polite smile set about her features. She recognised the wizard stood before her, or at least she was aware of the family name, but she couldn’t say that she’d ever had the opportunity to form her own opinions of him first hand so she could only do what she did best, which was to remain civil until she found something to convince her otherwise.

“Oh, um, if you exclude all the stalling I did at the entranceway, I’ve only just arrived.” Amelia replied with a small nod before taking a sip from her glass. She could only agree with him about needing another drink, though perhaps it was more like another two or three at least.

“Not a fan of galas, I take it?” She asked after a moments pause.

alexander let a small chuckle fall out at her question. “ -that obvious, huh? ” his freehand went up to scratch the side of his face. still quite unsure of the female in front of him.

“ i used to be. but um, not so much anymore. i was brought to these alot as a kid, you know. my mum, she loved it; getting all dressed up. ” and where is she now? it seemed he was the only nott playing pretend at this gala. " -i guess you could say, it’s lost its touch on me. ”

suddenly, the flute in his hand was feeling too heavy. downing what was left of the yellowish liquid, he set the glass down on the table. hues briefly falling on a certain brunette only to snap back to amelia.

“ and how about you? a fan of these? ”

#・。 ◟ / 𝐧. gala conversations .#justiceforbones

marlene mckinnon.

Marlene couldn’t help her eyes from sliding sideways, a quick glance to check that none of her friends were in sight. That should have been perhaps her third red-flag. She knew this was wrong, even as she persisted. Why was she like this? His fingers brushed against hers. It was deliberate. It appeared that everything he did was calculated, deliberate. The brief touch, the use of her last name when she’d called him by his first. She was in over her head. Why was Marlene most comfortable drowning?

Alexander’s assessment of her in school was accurate, if a little boring. Maybe she was fun. She wanted to scoff. She had probably been even more fun than she was now, although she hadn’t been nearly so skilled a flirt. “Ouch, I’m almost disappointed in myself for not making more of an impression.” She kept her tone deadpan, ignored the little flutter that ran through her at the way he said properly acquainted. That was a challenge, all by itself. She picked up another drink, slowly, carefully. Take your time, McKinnon. Don’t be rash.

“As much fun as knocking back champagne is, I think it’s probably unsustainable. I quite fancy some fresh air, maybe a cigarette.” She didn’t ask him to come. She wasn’t giving him that. Instead, she met his gaze and held it. Oh he had come very close. She turned away, towards entrance to the garden that hummed with a slightly quieter buzz than the rest of the party. Marlene allowed herself only one long glance over her shoulder, a swish of her hair. If he wanted to get properly acquainted he would come with her —and if not, maybe it was for the best.

a soft chuckle fell out at her response. “ that, mckinnon, was a long time ago. i doubt you would’ve cared for me much back then anyway. ” doubt you’d care for me now -but alexander kept that thought to himself. instead his fingers stayed circling his empty flute. head only tilting when she picked up another. why did she excite him so much? it was more than just the game, he realized, and that terrified him.

i quite fancy some fresh air.

his brows lifted, truly lost on the invitation. but if this night proved anything it was that he had no self control. so of course his legs would follow close behind; weaving through the many distracted faces, hugging the walls of the atrium until they were outside. what alexander was doing was reckless. but he supposed, she did look quite nice in that dress.

“ i didn’t know you smoked? ” the question came out a forethought as he settled in beside her. gaze peering out to the lights that adorned the garden only to fall back on hers. “ -marlene mckinnon, hit witch by day, smoker by night. interesting ring to it. i guess it’s good we’re alone then? i can learn more. ”

#・。 ◟ / 𝐧. gala conversations .#mrlenemckinnons

marlene mckinnon.

Marlene had enough experience with men –and women –to know when she was being checked out. It seemed that her initial impression had been incorrect: Nott didn’t need to worry about catching up, if he was so openly flirting with her. She was no muggleborn, but this would have been completely off-limits not so long ago.

Still, he was clearly game, she mused as he downed the drink. She raised an eyebrow and the corners of her mouth in a smile. “Wow, downing drinks at a Ministry function. Your reputation gets you all wrong.” She tipped the flute in her hands in his direction, a polite nod –then drank it one. Not breaking eye contact. No flinching. She heard Mary in her head: you don’t have to take everything as a dare Marlene. But of course, she did – impulsivity was in her bones.

“You remember me, do you now Alex?” She tilted her head, it’s own kind of dare: tighten up, break away from this overly familiar exchange. “If you don’t remember me as fun, what exactly do you remember?”

he was impressed. lips curling into a shadowy grin, unable to look anywhere but at her. was he losing this game of cat and mouse? was he now the mouse? well, that just wouldn’t do.

“ you can’t believe everything you hear about me, mckinnon. ” fingers hovered over the table once more, digits picking up a glass but not without brushing against the others delicate skin. “ -especially if its my reputation. ” a wink fell next as digits tilted the drink to his lips once more.

as quickly as he thought he had won dominancy, it left in an instant. why on earth did he say that? she was fishing, clearly. wanting a compliment or two, but all thoughts funneled to one mckinnon -and not the one in front of him.

chin dipping, alexander inched closer. he really should have stopped, left the conversation altogether, but he couldn’t. “ it’s hard to say really? if memory serves right, you were always with that gyrffindor group. and maybe you were fun? at least now we get to be properly acquainted. ”

#・。 ◟ / 𝐧. gala conversations .#mrlenemckinnons

msola

#・。 ◟ / 𝐧. visage .

marlene mckinnon.

Marlene would by lying through her teeth if she said Alexander Nott didn’t put her on edge. Everyone knew of the very public trial of his father and although she wished she were empathetic enough to put it aside and disregard his family when she was speaking to him there was something there —an unease. Maybe, she considered, it was the discomfort of proximity. She had fancied Alexander, almost openly, in school. A year above her — handsome, well put together. What wasn’t to like? Only his entire social circle.

Still, her inner sixteen year old couldn’t let the opportunity pass and Marlene was a sucker for handsome face, no matter who it belonged to. “Liquid courage is maybe the wrong way to put it.” She offered Alexander a crooked smile. “I think I’m far too honest sober. Better to be on pleasant buzz and feeling kind, perhaps.” She met his gaze and held it. Too intense a stare; Marlene would never be the one to openly blink first. “Oh you know —” She tried, failed to calculate her drink’s at Lily’s in her head. What was a bottle and a half of wine in glasses of champagne? The maths did not add up. “I’m not exactly sure, which means you're definitely behind.”

alexanders gaze followed hers, noticing the dip in thought and the curve of her lips. why he allowed his feet to walk up to her was another question. but the male couldn’t help the tinge of eagerness. hues took in the silk of her dress, making sure not to peer long before the whites of his teeth poked through. “ merlin no, we wouldn’t want an angry mckinnon. a monopoly it is. ”

was he poking fun? quite frankly yes, but he was messing with a dangerous combination. if there was anyone he needn’t talk to, it was her -and she could never know why.

rough fingers plucked up one of the many champagne flutes that riddled the table. making sure to emphasize his willingness to play whatever game was brewing. “ okay, i’ll bite. ” without second thought, alexander brought the glass to his lips and downed the yellowish liquid in one long gulp. but not without his brows furrowing in reaction. “ -i must say, you’re much funner than i remember. though i do feel as though i’m catching up. i think that leaves you next. ”

#・。 ◟ / 𝐧. gala conversations .#mrlenemckinnons

rabastan lestrange.

It felt like the only time Rabastan came alive was at parties like these. He didn’t think that would be the case with this gala. Still he dressed, made himself presentable. Can’t disappoint the family by not showing up.

Every bad thing he had ever done, every name he refused to remember, the reminders were here, in the faces of his victims loved ones. He felt the weight of it all, so he kept moving. Flittering from one place to the next, moving as soon as the guilt started to creep in again. So he moved, constantly, until he took a step outside. With a deep breath his mask lowered, the constantly aching smile fell off his face. The soft warm spring breeze was perhaps the first time he felt peace at this spring gala and he wasn’t ready to go back yet.

The balcony door opened behind him with a soft click, disrupting his peace and not allowing him adequate time to put his mask back in place. A Sin, worse then anything else, to him.

“Occupied.” He said curtly, not bothering to glace towards whoever had interrupted him. “you can have your drunken tryst next door.” He waved, dismissively.

there were many alexander recognized at the ministry’s invitational. all wolves in sheep’s clothing, parading about as if they were do-gooders. lies, lies, lies. surely, others would see past the veneers and right to the sharpened teeth?

he supposed not.

needing some air, alexander opened the double doors towards the balcony. not thinking nor caring who would be on the other side. but when eardrums heard the familiar brass of tone, he knew he had chose wrong. “ you don’t have a monopoly on this, lestrange. ” his reply was curt. footsteps pushing towards the other side of where rabastan stood. palms extending against the railing of the cold stone.

“ don’t worry, i don’t plan on staying long. ”

#・。 ◟ / 𝐧. gala conversations .#smollestrange

amelia bones.

On a normal day, Amelia Bones would feel right at home within the walls of the Ministry of Magic. It was no secret to anyone who knew her that she had a habit of spending more time up in her office than in her own home, but every time the Minister decided to announce that they were hosting a function, the same old feeling of dread creeped up on her at the thought of the large crowd it would likely bring.

She hadn’t always been that way. Once upon a time she would have delighted at the idea of a Gala, but the lasting effects of the war had left her wary of large gatherings. There was too many people to try and keep track of, too many possibilities, too many worse case scenarios to consider just in case. She hated it, but she just couldn’t seem to switch it off, and so she had gotten really good at putting on a brave face.

Stepping up to the Main Atrium entrance, Amelia took a deep breath before pushing onwards, immediately sourcing out the nearest drinks table and heading towards it. If she was going to enjoy herself even in the slightest, she was going to at least a drink or two,

one would think from years of practice, the male would've had a handle on galas and large dinner gatherings. but no, it was quite the opposite. behind his polished demeanor and old tailored suit was an anxiety stricken nott.

however if there was one thing alexander could fake, it was appearances. with a refined smile and quickness to strike up conversation with those he deemed the right choice, alexander navigated through the growing crowd. only slowing to pluck a champagne flute from a floating tray. taking conscious sips, his feet furthered until he was standing near the refreshment table. his gaze recognizing the female in front of him as one of the bones siblings. alexander was unsure if she was someone small talk would end well with, but he was now staring and that just wouldn’t do.

“ enjoying yourself so far? ” the question came out rushed. lips remembering to curve up as he took another sip from the yellowish, alcoholic liquid. “ or have you just arrived? because you uh, might need another one of those. i know i will. ”

#・。 ◟ / 𝐧. gala conversations .#justiceforbones

marlene mckinnon.

Marlene was lightly buzzed, she’d arrived from Lily’s and left the girls almost immediately, thrown a few gallons into the donation box, grabbed a flute of champagne and decided to take a moment to survey the event. As far as Marlene could see, this event was far too grand to fall into the category of boring work event and if she were honest with herself — which she strived to be — she had had enough at pre-drinks to set herself on a path towards fun or trouble. Which of the two it was probably slightly early to tell. Hopefully fun. She did not need to wake up tomorrow filled with regret but if Marlene was being honest with herself —which she only sometimes was —she had had more nights filled with trouble than fun recently.

This crowd in particular, she noted with some distaste, would lend itself to trouble. The room was beautifully decorated and everyone was in their best dress. Fountains bubbled quietly, a band play sufficiently dignified music for this first act of the party; although they would certainly loosen up once they all reached their third or fourth drinks. Still, even four years later Marlene felt apprehensive about events like this. Ordinary ministry workers fluttered about between members of pureblood high society (read: supposedly reformed blood purists). There was little tension in the air — no one spoke about the war now, not publicly. Certainly never at parties. It was in bad taste, she knew. Better to push those thoughts from her mind. Fun was the goal. She’d started her night right and it was going to continue that way. She would make sure of it.

“Oh hi! I don’t mean to monopolize the drinks - at least not yet.” Marlene offered an easy grin “just getting my bearings before I begin making the rounds. They’ve outdone themselves, haven’t they?”

alexander stood there, black tie mirrored with expensive fabric, only to feel outlandishly out of place. a thing the male was not used to feeling at a social event, but times were different and eyes of suspicion were on him once again. he had his foolish father to thank for that. luckily, the firewhiskey in his system was just enough to ease the nerves. at least for the time being.

it was important for alexander to squash any doubts -if any were there. so he made a point to talk with certain donors and socialites; all the finest purebloods now portraying a less conservative view. if only they were aware of what he knew about these families, they wouldn’t be so quick to take their money. still, he’d keep up their charade of good samaritan.

finally when the alcohol in his system came to a fizzling end, he politely excused himself to venture off. darkened hues would land on one talkative mckinnon; a curious glint falling on his eye. “ -need liquid courage to survive this? because i, for one, would understand that. ” a chuckle fell off his lips before his brow raised, “ how much have you had, exactly? and do i need to catch up? ”