the smile that stretched her lips was devious to say the least - he was humouring her, she knew it - she was no hero, but seeing him unbridled, even if it was just for a moment - for a laugh she was able to give him, as much as she adored the composed man that she knew so well - seeing him free, that was the sight of him that kept her up – “that would be you –” she murmured, twinkle in her gaze, as she slowed her steps just enough to be nearly in front of him, fingers tapping against his chest, “you’re the hero, i’m more of a necessary evil” she got the job done. she wasn’t as noble as he was - he was a warm sunny day and she was that dreary raining morning – two ends that have no business meeting and yet, here she was for him- no summoning charm required, he had her wrapped around his finger, whether he knew it or not was the question. “i won’t ever say no to that delicious feast, tristan - but, if you miss me that much, you could say so” words teasing - as if he would ever, it was a dance she tended to do - a few brief moments with him seemed enough to tide her over. she couldn’t remember the last time she had tried to go on a date - it had lost its appeal and she wanted to believe it had nothing to do with the man before her, but she wasn’t that deep into her denial.
she hadn’t missed the outstretched hand, and maybe if she was more brazen - she would have tumbled right into him, it wasn’t the first time she had seen someone do that and yet emmeline, as much as she had her faults - she had never really been a damsel in distress. he was there - her safety net, to catch her if she had fallen and over the years – figuratively speaking, she had fallen a few times with him and he had always been the support she had needed - even if was that comforting silence as they sat, “i think it’s less dreary - more colourful actually and they don’t serve any of the good stuff -” wiggling her brows, if she missed a drink in the morning - that would probably be for the best, “but they have a great milkshake and the fluffiest pancakes – i’ll save it for a sunday that you visit” she promised. nose wrinkling - as if she could really be offended by the truth, “you poor thing –” brushing against his side, a knowing look crossing her features, “they can’t possibly test your patience like i did and i managed to survive - i had a great teacher” she murmured, honesty would all her see in her gaze, “they’re in good hands - lucky bastards”
a sigh escaped her – she couldn’t lie, not to him. “it’s not looking good –” she whispered, drawing close, as if the trees had ears, “the death count is rising - it’s not just muggleborns - it’s muggles, the patterns are erratic” she muttered, rather lost. their leads had gone dry or well dead. “we’ll manage –” the only thing that kept her sane to an extent, was that he was here, he was safe and away from the chaos as much as he could be at least before he took up another task, “if it gets bad – i will let you know” that was all she could give him, he was doing important work here - shaping the minds of the future and all that.
it is incredibly easy to hold that very same smile on his lips - even when a single finger pressed against his chest forces him to stop . head playfully rolls to the side so he can size up the shorter witch , eyes bright with humor but also a hint of disbelief that emmeline was always so quick to dismiss herself . ❝ i will only agree that you’re necessary , ❞ he would have said that she was necessary to him - that she was simply the most balancing force in his life at the present time even if tristan had always sworn to be so independent . they always say time moved fast when you kept yourself busy , but tristan wasn’t sure when emmeline had ever become such a strong force for him . maybe it was always like that with her ; so natural , so delicate - ❝ and if i told you that i did miss you , what then ? does that allot me some unrefundable pass to see more than just some holiday ? ❞ his right arm raises then , fingers barely grazing the clothed skin of the arm that she’s got stuck on him still . it was another one of those instances when tristan spoke before thinking , words thick with emotions that he’s compelled himself to bury . ❝ cause i’ll say it then .❞
even with the mundane imagery that he has painted in his own mind of the muggle diner , it still vastly fascinates him - there was many times that he’d willingly ventured into areas populated with muggles and there truly wasn’t much difference about them which only felt so villainous to wonder why anyone could ever place less worth on their existence . ❝ sounds like i’ll have very little time to even miss some of the food they usually have at the leaky cauldron - ❞ he says though that wasn’t necessarily a difficult feat anyway . ❝ but at least i can still look forward to a very sweet meal regardless . ❞ no matter the fact that the company alone was enough reason to even justify braving such a brand new feat , but no , tristan was going because he’d been invited ... ❝ you survived me ? sounds a lot more unlikely than the opposite . i somehow survived you - ❞ tristan refutes with a shake of his head , more so due to the irony that for some reason he was still so drawn to her now . they were still friends , no more needless help or class to keep them coming back to each other . it was purely for selfish reasons now . ❝ we made a great team even back then , i think . ❞
tristan is not necessarily sure what he had expected to hear . he knew that it was bad , but to hear someone with an inside perspective sound so defeated - ❝ that’s the thing , emmeline , ❞ a frustrated sigh dews from his lips as his back straightens . ❝ sure , we’re managing for now . but the cost - we’re paying too much as we wait . ❞ he hadn’t even thought about regulus for days , a mission that was on such a need to know basis that tristan could only form opinions as an onlooker . for someone who was so used to moving , tristan felt like he was doing nothing here at hogwarts . ❝ you shouldn’t have to wait until more people are hurt or missing to tell me , emmeline . the children here , emmeline ... in just a month’s time , they will be visiting their families . and for some of them , they might not have the same faces waiting for them anymore . ❞ no part of him even blames emmeline for this , he needs her to know that . she and any other ministry worker was doing their best ( or so he would like to think ) .