Al. Potter - Potioneer

Albus S. Potter. Graduate of Hogwarts. Employee of J. Pippin's Potions. Not my father. [1x1 based from AnotherGleefulHogwarts]

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Mum’s Birthday | 2021 | James&Al

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imjamespotter:

James gave a heavy sigh. He noticed how Albus shifted away and it upset him that he couldn’t be close with his brother. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d hugged him or not used all his energy up on one conversation.

“I don’t need a gift to tell mum that. I tell her every day that I love her and I show her how much I love her. No piece of plastic or pretty wrapped present is going to show her that” he shrugged. 

That was his belief. He didn’t need to show his mother once a year how much he loved her, he’d rather get something she’d like.

“You won’t mess up her birthday” he shook his head. Taking the elder brother responsibility. “Al you won’t. Trust me. Mum lvoes us to pieces. I guess we have that advantage. She’ll just be glad we even though of her” he explained. “You’re overthiking this far too much buddy” he smiled slightly.

Albus frowned as he spoke. How could he not need a gift to express that? Gifts expressed everything but it had to be right. He couldn’t just go out and buy her socks, that seemed so pathetic. He groaned slightly and began to wring his hands together, a typical tell-tale sign that Albus was nervous. “Sure, I tell her every day. Dad too but… What if it isn’t enough? We’re getting older now, she’s going to feel more disconnected with us.”

“I’m not. I’m not overthinking anything. To overthink is to ruin oneself and that ruin’s a situation so yeah. All right, if I am over thinking then I will ruin her birthday…” Albus gripped the edge of his seat, his foot tapping and his eyes going from James to the door.

“Maybe I should just… Go. Stay with Scorpius and say Happy Birthday in the morning and just leave you all to it…”

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Mum’s Birthday | 2021 | James&Al

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imjamespotter:

“Dad is not buying her a Hippogriff. Don’t be ridiculous there’s nowhere to put it. I know Dad is a bit extra but come on” he rolled his eyes and sat next to him. “Spinning pencil pot from the Weasley Wizard Wheezes.” he shrugged. “It’s actually quite cool. It’s not ast. It just spins around and has multiple layers in so you can store over a 100 pencils and stuf inside it too” he murmured.

He thought it was a good idea and something his mother would like. It was difficult sometimes. Albus was so trying sometimes with his constant negativity. James would find it hard to try and stay positive and not just give in and be grumpy with his brother. “I don’t know. What do you want to get her? Just look on your phone if you have to” he rested his chin on his hand.

Al looked at James as he sat next to him and awkwardly moved a few inches to the left so he had more space. Personal space was a top need for Albus. “But does that scream ‘Thank mum for giving birth to me and being a great mum’, I dunno if it does, James.” He sighed.

“I don’t know James, this is the problem! I only just got away with getting dad a photo of the Giant Squid from the Common Room this year because Dad never really saw it at school… Mum’s harder and I don’t want to mess it up because if I mess it up, then-then, well…” He paused and took a deep breath in. “Then I could ruin her birthday.”

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Mum’s Birthday | 2021 | James&Al

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imjamespotter:

James looked over as he raised his eybrows when he could hear his little brother complaining. “Uh… I got her a spinning pencil pot for her desk at work. That and some honeydukes sweets cause you really can’t go wrong with that” he murmured as he tried to think. “What about- I know, a personalised quill or a photo frame. Mum likes soppy stuff sometimes”

Albus glanced over at James frowning. “A spinning pencil pot? Wouldn’t that just make a mess? What if it hit her quill and ruined her column? Sure, Honeydukes sweets… Easy option. But, what if dad… I don’t know, buy’s her a Hippogrith? How can we compete with that!” He groaned, slumping into his hands. “Dad’s totally going to buy her a Hippogrith and it’s going to be lit, isn’t it?”

He rolled his face out of his hands and looked at his older brother with an expression of sadness and hopelessness. “Personalised quill? I don’t know… A photo frame could shatter though, plus does she really want to be reminded of us at work? Unless we make it a muggle picture, then you can’t attack me if picture form.”

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Mum’s Birthday | 2021 | James&Al

@imjamespotter

“Why do we have to buy gifts? It’s an impossible task. Clothing can always go wrong with sizes. I can’t buy her anything Quidditch related, she might have it! Plus, Lily claimed the ‘Best mum of the year’ mug idea. I’m at an impasse.”

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: Though MacNair has taken up residence in the Headmaster's chambers, and the Herald has been nothing but compliant to his restrictive media bias, much of what I could be reporting on is still left on the cutting room floor. It's a little disappointing, as a journalist, to be honest.

Mei: Well, perhaps you'll be able to get the one-up on him soon enough. I'm sure he's done many foolish things-- or will, soon enough, without proper supervision.

Mei: Yes? Good. I mean, I'm glad that we'll at least be able to see each other. It's different in the castle without you. Obviously. Gardening? The two of you are the strangest pairing. Is it at least on something exotic or challenging as upkeep? Gracie and I are currently experimenting with a hybridization of a bit of produce with some Herbology ingredients and Charm spells to create a "Dragon fruit", if you will. Well, Gracie mostly watches, but the company is appreciated.

Al: He has? That cannot be good... You should write it any way, send it into the Quibbler! Luna would love that!

Al: It's fine, I kick his arse at chess.

Al: I miss seeing you every day. It's quite dull but we're mostly talking over it. That sounds certainly interesting! Does Professor Longbottom know? Perhaps he can help!

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Al: Prepare for long practices. James used to moan about it all the time.

Al: Anytime.

Al: He'd laugh at my general ability to play Quidditch. He's kind like that, my brother.

Mei: I'm hardly afraid of hard work, although I hope my position as Editor won't be harmed for the added extra-curricular. Although thanks to the censorship of the current staff, I suppose that's a secondary concern.

Mei: I see. Well, I suppose as long as he doesn't simultaneously draw Lucy or any of the rest of your blood kin into the joke, I'm sure you've had lots of practice being the source of Scorpius' amusement.

Mei: How is Hogsmeade? Do you think you'll be working on our visit? I can obviously find something else to occupy my time, if you are, but if you weren't...

Al: What do you mean by censorship?

Al: Of course, why do you think Scorpius is so good? Or at least so he thinks.

Al: It should be fine. It's lovely but very quiet. Me and Scorp are currently sat watching some muggle program on gardening. Not sure why we choose it to be honest...

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: It seems more than appropriate, considering you're going to be flying with someone who currently has perhaps two months worth of experience playing sport.

Mei: Thank you Al. I mean, that's quite kind.

Mei: And me too. If you need me, I mean.

Mei: He ~laughed~? Because...the design you chose amused him? I'm afraid I don't understand that specific reaction. Why would he laugh?

Al: Prepare for long practices. James used to moan about it all the time.

Al: Anytime.

Al: He'd laugh at my general ability to play Quidditch. He's kind like that, my brother.

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: :)

Mei: Well, until a few months ago I rode my broom sidesaddle, so I promise not to judge.

Mei: Perhaps so. Thank you: I mean, I was excited when Gracie was so supportive, but I'm glad that you, you know, think it's not a superfluous effort. I mean, it is, of course; but still, I do enjoy it.

Mei: You've definitely surprised me on more than one occasion, Al. What did Scorpius think of your tattoo, or has he managed to miss it all this time?

Al: Thank you, that is highly appreciated.

Al: I'm always on your corner :)

Al: Oh, he laughed at me. :|

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: I hope that was an honest reply?

Mei: Thank you. Are you? I wish I'd gotten a chance to see you on your broom. Perhaps we'll find some time yet during the holidays.

Mei: It's not that impressive, I'm sure. Ravenclaw has been struggling, and now Lydia has left, there has been a lot of adjustments. But thank you: I was quite proud to have done as well as I did. I think Father will be happy once I tell him. He always wanted to play for his House's team.

Al: Always.

Al: I'd like that. I'm not as good as James or even Lily for that matter but I'm a fair flyer.

Al: I'm sure he'll be delighted! I know I am. You never quite cease to amaze me Mei Burke...

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: Oddly, I don't really see so many similarities. Although I only know what I've heard: I'm not intimate with your father.

Mei: She taught me the basics of the game, from a flying standpoint. I don't think my mum has had so much criticism over my flying technique. Professor Kent would have been proud of her. Since she's a Keeper anyways, I tried my hand at Chaser. I scored once.

Mei: I did: it went fairly well, I believe. No, I really did attend trials to join the team. You are now texting Ravenclaw's newest Chaser.

Al: That's reassuring.

Al: You did? That's awesome! When we play back home, I'm usually a Chaser.

Al: WHAT?! Mei that is incredible! Congratulations, i'm so happy for you!

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: If it's just me, I worry for the intelligence of the rest of the world. Although I am quite studious, it doesn't take a Ravenclaw to catch on to such an obvious thing.

Mei: Things are well. Gracie is training for the new season, of course. I would have thought she would regret her decision to teach me Quidditch now that trials have happened, but she's actually quite proud.

Mei:...did I tell you that I attended Ravenclaw's trials this year? It was sort of a last-minute decision.

Al: You'd think that although some people just assume that I am a carbon copy of my dad.

Al: What position are you training with her for?

Al: You did? How was it? Did you make the team? Or, did you just watch the try outs?

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: I feel like you may be short-selling yourself with that sort of sentiment. Your father may be many things, but he's certainly not you.

Mei: I admit, I do not have much in the way of experience of sharing more than a dormitory, so I don't know the proper etiquette for this sort of thing. However, a date does sound nice.

Al: I like to think so. It's nice to know someone else shares that thought.

Al: Great! I can't wait. In the meantime, how is everything? How is Gracie?

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: Well I suppose you had to get it from somewhere

Mei: That seems a tad unkind, considering it's his home too. However, he has Lucy, so I'm certain I can find a way to forbear too much guilt. A movie could be nice. And maybe chocolate frogs.

Al: Perhaps one of the only things I didn't inherit from my dad.

Al: Oh, no. He owes me. The amount of times he has asked me to leave for him and Lucy, this is perfectly fair. It sounds like a date.

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: I wouldn't worry. From what I've heard, it would take a lot to make a dent in your grandmother's mail.

Mei: Well, I wouldn't hate seeing it again, now that it looks more like you. School is starting soon, unfortunately, but maybe if not before the train leaves, there's always the first Hogsmeade trip?

Albus: That is also very true. She's certainly tough.

Albus: It's a date. I can make Scorpius scarce and we can have the trip to ourselves. Maybe watch an old movie?

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: I'm sure she'll be fine for quite some time. Borgin is older than many of the antiquities he sells, and yet besides his mind is in fairly excellent condition. And your grandmother has never been incarcerated.

Mei: Like to yours and Scorpius' place? Is it finally organized then? Or are you still living out of boxes?

Al: That's very true...

Al: We're all set up! My room is a bit clustered but I do have a lot of stuff. Mum calls me a hoarder but I'm not quite that bad.

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Mei: It has its dangers. I know you're close to your grandmother, but she sounds like she's still doing well? Even if she is mad, she at least sounds as though she's still pleasant to be around.

Mei: I think you're very possibly the nicest hallucination I've ever had in the shop. Certainly one of the most interesting. I'm just sorry you had to appear on a bad day.

Al: She's doing well. Although, I dread the day she doesn't do so well anymore... If you understand what I mean...

Al: It's fine, honestly. Maybe you could come over to our place next time?

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Text [-] Mei/Al

Al: We don't choose our family.

Al: Are you in trouble? Did your parents find out I've been over?

Mei: I don't mean to complain. I've learnt a lot of important things from him: his mind is quite invaluable, when it's set to rights.

Mei: No...he was quite certain that your father had been over, and as an Auror, such a visit wouldn't have gone unnoticed by the rest of the community. Not that //you// would have been unwelcome, but...I'm not really supposed to be seeing anyone, and so I thought it would be better if I let them believe you were merely a hallucination.

Mei: I hope that doesn't offend you.

Al: Age can be terrible. I sometimes worry about my grandparents.

Al: Am I a nice hallucination, though? :)