#th:astrid

[sal-rizzo]

Evie, Astrid, Nerissa

Evie

Here is a post-it

A reminder to sit still

And enjoy the show

Astrid

Sometimes I wonder

What pain you all must carry

To stand up so tall

Nerissa

You could do so much

I can see it in you now

You and all these kids

[boo-its-radley]

Nerissa and Astrid

Nerissa

Put down your kindness

It will not shield you from this

Butterfly beware

Astrid

Your white hat is red

Dripping streams with your own blood

Once I’m through with you

[boo-its-radley]

Welcome to Hogsmeade Drabble  //  Astrid & Joshua

The bartender rolled his neck, the cracking of his bones causing the young women seated at the bar to look up. Joshua’s eyes narrowed at her to try to avert her attention, but she looked too curious and unaffected for it to have much impact.

“You’re new around here?” she asked him, to which Joshua replied with a brief look before turning to flip threw some menus. “Ah, not a talker, huh? Or are you actually mute? I heard there was an accident around here with some lozenges from Zonko’s.”

He had no idea what Zonko’s was, or why they sold lozenges, or who could be stupid enough to fuck up a lozenge recipe to the point of one of the side effects being muteness. He was almost about to say something to her, but held back, realizing that was exactly what she was looking for. Even without paying attention, he knew she was searching him for some kind of reaction or movement or noise that could give away who he was, or at least the kind of person he was. He was used to people looking at him in Mayte if he ever dared to wander into the main village, but not like this. They all looked and whispered rumors to each other. This woman had no predisposed opinion of him without seeing him; she didn’t know she was supposed to steer clear of him, by her mother’s orders.

“How does someone who’s not the talking type get a bartending job?” she inquired after receiving the next pint of house brew she ordered. “Isn’t the job of the man on the other side to offer an open ear, a shoulder to cry on? But also to jabber with all the latest gossip from an impartial standpoint and make every customer feel like he’s on their side?”

Joshua lifted one shoulder in a small shrug before leaving the woman, going to take the orders of other patrons that had entered in. A few were a little taken aback by the sight of Joshua, but Madge was just coming on duty, and she quickly informed everyone of the new hire. As she introduced him to the old, frequenting customers with what little information she knew of him, he could feel the woman at the counter watching him out of the corner of her eyes. If he turned, he’d spot the little smirk growing on her face as his name, birthplace (forged birthplace), and age (in appearance) were given out to the most trusted customers - who all looked like they belonged in Azkaban or in a courtroom determining on which date they should go to Azkaban.

“Joshua, is it?” the woman asked with a grin once Joshua was within earshot, and he immediately rolled his eyes. “Welcome to Hogsmeade, Joshua."

[poppy-poppers]

"I'll try to be more considerate next time I'm saving you!" Poppy and Astrid

Auror!Poppy AU: 10 Years Later

“Shut up, Astrid!” Poppy shouted at the older Auror, jumping just in time to avoid a trick floorboard in the house they’d just raided. “I could’ve handled myself!”

Astrid stopped in front of the door, turning to face Poppy with a knowing expression. “Yes, you certainly could’ve handled the curse coming at your back on your own.”

Poppy, unable to think of anything else to do, stuck her tongue out at the woman as she unlocked the door. They were no more than two steps outside before curses started to rain down on them from the upper floor of the house across the street. The two set up a shield over themselves, and no communication was needed before they both started toward the house without hesitation. Not bothering with magic now, Poppy kicked open the door so the two women could pile in, wands at the ready.

Curses started flying at them from every direction. In a way it reminded Poppy a lot of training, when flashes of light would come flying toward her and one or two other trainees when they would be in a simulation. The only difference was, these were not just flashes of light, these were actual curses, and getting hit by one didn’t mean you lost a letter grade. It meant you died, and that your partner was more likely to die with one fewer person there to fend off the barrage.

Poppy’s eyes flicked all around the room, her curses almost flying out of her wand before she could take aim. Some people were knocked out, others just kept going despite any injuries caused to them from the countercurses or hexes thrown at them. Poppy and Astrid stood their ground, back to back, two Aurors against more assailants than were anticipated. 

It seemed to last for days, but soon the two were surrounded by only fallen bodies. The ones that were still alive would soon be taken away to be questioned, and the ones that were dead would get no glowing obituary in the Daily Prophet. Astrid sent out the message to inform the Auror department the mission was over as Poppy collected wands off the floor. With loud pops, a few members of the department arrived to take care of the next part of things. Poppy and Astrid were sent back to the department, too, so the could be examined for any injuries. It was nothing bad, this time. It wasn’t always that way.

“You did a good job, Poppy,” Astrid told the girl once they were finally out of the department, just as the sun was beginning to rise over London. 

“Thanks,” Poppy muttered awkwardly, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Are you hungry? There’s a breakfast place not far from here.”

Poppy smiled a bit as her stomach let out a low rumble. “Sure, but only if you’re paying. I’m on an Auror’s salary, after all.”