Super Trouper

Kingsley Shacklebolt. 22. The 5th Gryffindor.

[the-king-shacklebolt]

c & s

C   :   CHOCOLATE.   does your muse like chocolate? which one is their favourite?

Kingsley loves chocolate. He has a sweet tooth like no other person. His favorite treat is caramel stuffed chocolate - the quickest way to Kingsley’s heart.

S   :   SWEETHEART.   did your muse have a childhood sweetheart?

Answered here. 

[the-king-shacklebolt]

BILL SYKES

BILL SYKES - How much social power does your muse have?

In some circles he does. His father is a pretty powerful politician so when people are aware of his father, Kingsley tends to have more social power. Kingsley has tried to pave his own way though, and doesn’t have as much social power in that regard. 

[the-king-shacklebolt]

H, R, S

H   :   HEART.   is your muse quick or slow to give their heart away?

Kingsley is slow to give his heart away. He’s grown up around a large family where most marriage’s were arranged. Some were successful, others were not, so he’s vey careful with his heart because he wants the former and not the latter.

R   :   ROMANCE.   is your muse a romantic or a cynic?

Kingsley’s a total romantic. He wants to find his person and he’s hopeful he will, but he knows nothing is promised in this life.

S   :   SWEETHEART.   did your muse have a childhood sweetheart?

Miremba... They were four and they shared a brownie. Dated for about seven hours and then broke up because Kingsley wouldn’t share his toys. 

[the-king-shacklebolt]

EVIL QUEEN & THE HUNTSMAN

EVIL QUEEN - What would your muse give up if it meant they could take revenge on their worst enemy?

Kingsley is a very proud person. If Kingsley had a worst enemy, he would probably give up everything to take revenge on someone who wronged him. 

THE HUNTSMAN - Would your muse obey authority, or their morals?

Kingsley was taught some pretty high morals by his parents, his mother specifically. His father Is an authority figure and he’s very aware that they do not always have the best intentions, so Kingsley would likely follow his morals.

[the-king-shacklebolt]

GASTON , SHERRIF OF NOTTINGHAM

GASTON - What does your muse love most about themselves?

For someone who’s very confident and seems very into himself, there’s not a lot he loves about himself. He loves his culture though. His large family. The music. The food. The magic. Everything that has to do with Uganda. 

SHERRIF OF NOTTINGHAM - How corrupt is your muse? What could corrupt them?

Oh... He’s so corrupt... *wink wink*. No, Kingsley is not corrupt. He likes to be by the book. His father on the other hand... Well, he’s a politician so he’s not the best examply for his son. Kingsley loves his family though, so if anyone could corrupt him, it would be his father.

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Meme Day - Accepting All

Kingsley Shacklebolt. 22. The 5th Gryffindor.

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Felix

“Hold still, will you?” Félix complained as he tried to get Kingsley to stand still. Finally, Kingsley kept him still long enough for Félix to see his dilated pupils. He wanted to check the other man’s eyes a little longer before checking his temperature when Kingsley suddenly ran off.

Curious, Félix stepped closer to watch Kingsley dig through his bag. A cork bottle was pulled out of the bag before he trotted back. Félix ignored the other invitation and quickly snatched the bottle from his hand. Instead of bringing the bottle’s orifice to his lips, Félix took a whiff. Sweet, he noted. Aromatic. He peered inside the bottle. Finding that he couldn’t see the color of the liquid inside, Félix tilted the bottle ever so slightly and spilled some of it on the forest floor. The light coming from the fire was enough for him to see that the potion was yellow. That confirmed it. “How much have you drank?” Félix asked, worried about his friend.

Kingsley thought about the answer to Felix’s question for a moment. How much did he have to drink? He’d had some water. And he was sure not to have any alcohol before enjoying the Euphoria Elixir. This wasn’t his first rodeo after all. “Oh, well, I’ve had just the right amount to drink. I haven’t started singing yet, so that’s a good sign.” Kingsley beamed at Felix, his smile almost brighter than the fire burning. “Well, go on. Have some. It’s my own making and you know how good I did in potions. No thanks to you,” Kingsley teased with a wink before spinning away from Felix.

With a huff, Kingsley laid himself down on the ground, paying no mind to the leaves or the bugs that might be lurking there. Through the tree-line, he peeked at the sky full of stars. For some reason, they always seemed to sparkle more when Kingsley was on a kick. They made him feel warm and full. Which were feelings he had definitely been lacking lately. Which meant coming down from this high was going to suck. He sat up suddenly and looked at Felix. “Why are you here?”

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Rodolphus

His mood didn’t lighten at all as Kingsley beamed at him, apologizing as he spoke. “Don’t get cheeky with me, Shacklebolt,” he said, “I am not in the mood.” It was stating the obvious but it was the only warning he’d give. The festival had been a disaster. Carrow was missing, presumed kidnapped by Dumbledore’s little rebels. The body count wasn’t even worth blinking at. They hadn’t managed to get even a single auror or Order member. Not to mention Bellatrix had almost died. Although his fondness for her was little, she was still his wife and a valuable asset to the Dark Lord’s cause. 

He was actually here because of her. Although she’d already disobeyed the healer’s orders and gone to see her sister in St. Mungo’s, the healer had also given him a list of things to pick up to see that she recovered fully. “Medical supplies, potion ingredients – as you may have heard, things went awry over Easter.”

With a curt nod, Kingsley brought down his beam to about 20%. The last thing he wanted to do was really piss off someone. Someone that could provide him clout and information when needed. No, he needed to make a good impression on Rodolphus at this moment. He couldn’t forsake his personality though - that was just bound to give too much away - meaning, he couldn’t be a puppy dog at their beck and whim. He just had to prove himself useful. 

At the change of the conversation though, Kingsley nodded. This was something he could work with. “I read the reports from the Aurors. Also, received a few updates from some of my friends on what happened. I couldn’t be of any help then, but I can be of help now. If you need it?” Kingsley offered, picking up that Rodolphus seemed to have a lot on his plate, and picking up medical supplies was a menial task that anyone could do. “I’ve got some time on my hands before work. I can pick up what you need if you’ve got a list.”

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Benjy

while unbridled optimism had escaped him sometime around his graduation from hogwarts, benjy had nevertheless always tried to keep a positive, albeit realistic, outlook on life.  so when he was down, it was clearly something big keeping him that way.  like the current tragedy that had befallen some of his dearest friends.  it was all he could think about.  to the point where he hadn’t noticed kingsley approach.  his voice startled benjy.  “oh.  merlin.  uh, sure.”  kingsley shacklebolt.  he wasn’t sure if they’d spoken more than five words since they left hogwarts.  a shame, really, but war had a way of doing that to people.  “i’d never turn down a drink, kings.  where’ve you been, huh?”  he ran a hand through his hair, trying to downplay his surprise.  truly, it had nothing to do with his old friend, but the less questions overall, the better.

“Sorry, mate. Hadn’t meant to scare you like that,” Kingsley apologized with a pat on Benji’s back. Kingsley had seen that look before. In fact, he’d seen it all week on the faces of any Order Member or person with a soul at the news of the most recent tragedy. It was crazy to think about how much had changed since they had been in school together. All of them. And now they were all trotting along on separate paths that sometimes intersected. And sometimes didn’t... “Smart man, Benjy! And, I’ve been around. I got a job as an Auror after school, and that’s kept me quite busy.” Well, his father got him a job as an Auror, but he didn’t like sharing that with people. It was a very topline answer for someone he used to be close to, but Kingsley was realizing he didn’t really know Benjy anymore. He used to be able to trust him, but could he say the same now? “What have you been up to though? Also, keeping busy I assume?” He guessed as he called the bartender over. “I’ll have whatever he’s having,” Kingsley told the bartender. He was too tired to think at the moment.

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Alessia

The night was young and lacking excitement. Alessia was bored. When she was told she had a very handsome visitor, she expected one of the Moulin Rouge’s regular clientele, so she plastered her perfected fake smile on her lips but it turned genuine when she saw who it really was. “Well, well, well. Belladonna didn’t tell me I was in the presence of a King,” she teased, taking a sip of his drink before handing it to him… and she plopped right down in his lap, legs draped over one arm of the chair. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” she asked, leaning in to press a quick kiss to his cheek. Kingsley Shacklebolt was an old friend, one of the few that Alessia honest-to-godric trusted. He was a Death Eater, but he was one of the good ones. Somehow, she knew he wouldn’t do her wrong.

“Well, you know what they say. Under-promise and over-deliver. I’m glad Belladonna got the memo. Well, sort of. I’m not a King, just the King,” he chuckled to himself, not quite comfortable in the atmosphere. He’d need a few drinks in him to loosen up before he relaxed enough to look, well, normal. Thankfully, Alessia hadn’t come empty-handed. He gladly took the drink from her, before spilling some of it with the surprise of a person sitting in his lap. He shouldn’t have been surprised. He knew Alessia well enough now to know they had different definitions of boundaries. Still, Kingsley couldn’t exactly say he minded the attention. Or kiss on his cheek. When he felt so alienated by the rest of the world, it was nice to have something constant and steadfast. “Can’t I come see you, just to come see you? It’s been too long. I missed you. And, well, I needed a drink after the week I had.”

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Katarina

Some would perhaps call her cold-hearted but that had never really been an accusation that held true. It wasn’t so much that she didn’t feel anything - she felt rather a lot really - she had just long since placed logic and pragmatism over her emotions. There was no sense in being ruled by feelings. Perhaps that was why it was so easy for her to be objective, to receive Kingsley’s words with pleasure but not enough that clouded her judgement. She was still making a mental note of everything he said and did. It was easy to accept praise though and so she did with a smile on her lips. “Well if I ever meet these cousins of yours I’ll be sure to tell them that you did as you should.” She barely felt a thing when he leaned in but she let her breath catch for pure effect. before making a slight show of composing herself, smile settling itself on her lips once more. “And there was me thinking we were friends already, Kingsley.” 

A sigh slipped from her lips easily, truly regretting what had happened. Although for different reasons than one might think. “It’s just as well you weren’t, it leaves you all the more able to help in the next one.” Practised smile wavered slightly, allowing a little bit of forced doubt into her expression. “Should I be looking at you as though you’re up to no good?” Brow rose playfully, words light as though she had not one single suspicion of him. It was quite the opposite really, every word that he said made her question him that little bit more. Perhaps some more time together would help her paint a clearer picture of just who he was and what he truly wanted. “Why don’t you join me for lunch, to celebrate this new friendship of ours?”

“Pray you never do, Katarina. Pray you never do. I have twenty of them. First cousins. And each is nosier than the last. And they have a hive mentality. My father likes to say ‘If they weren’t so busy gossiping and cooking, they could take over the world.’ Kingsley did the best impression of his father, who was a large stoutly man, with a deep voice, just for the added humor. For as much as he teased about his family though, he truly did love them. They had been his friends growing up, which was part of the reason transitioning to Hogwarts had been so difficult for him. “Well, then we’re friends. If you say so. That was much easier than I expected. Where were you when I was in school?” He chuckled.

Kingsley kept his expression cool. He needed to say the thing a friend would say in this situation. To draw suspicion away from him by bringing anything suspicious to the front of the conversation. He hoped it was smooth enough to keep Kat off his trail. His brow rose to match her’s, a sideways smirk gracing his face. “I am always up to no good. Just ask my mother. She has tales and tales of troublemaking.” He chuckled to emphasize the joke. He probably needed to stop chuckling. He held out his arm for her to take. “Where would you like to lunch, Katarina?”

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Frank

What Frank would give to go back a week in time. To be standing in this same kitchen, with the same wizard. Only that time they had been talking and planning as if they would get Harry back. They were afraid, yes, but they also had a sliver of hope. Now what did they have? A baby who would never grow up, parents who would forever grieve, shaken trust in The Order and its members. The only way that he had gotten through the week was because of his family. One that he felt so relieved and guilty for having united. Still, he had spent countless minutes just watching Neville as he slept, his heart aching for Harry. 

He trusted Kingsley. He did. He just had to keep reminding himself that, as he stood across the room of a man with the Dark Mark on his arm. Frank couldn’t let this start to divide The Order or they’d crumble within, just like they wanted. “It’s not -” his voice cracked, clearing his throat - would there ever be a time he could speak about it without getting choked up? “It doesn’t just fall onto you, Kingsley.” It fell onto the lot of them. It fell onto Frank. What good was an Auror if he couldn’t help them catch the Death Eaters? Still, he collapsed into his seat at the kitchen table, running his hands through his hair. “We weren’t prepared.” And it cost them the life of a little boy. 

Part of Kingsley still couldn’t believe they failed. Somehow part of him thought if they could just push on, then something would change. Some Death Eater would just pop out of the shadows and be like ‘Surprise here’s the potter boy you failed to save. We were just playing a joke on you. What? You actually thought we would kill a child?’ That wasn’t going to happen though and Kingsley needed to accept that. 

He pounded the palm of his fist against the Longbottom’s kitchen counter in an outburst of anger. “Well, I sh- we should have been. We should have known they would play dirty. For fuck’s sake, we’re Auror’s Frank... It’s our job to think like Dark Wizards so we can catch them. I was on the inside. I couldn’t tell you who had Harry, but I should have been able to find out. I just don’t know how we got this so wrong...” Kingsley trailed off again, shaking his head softly like he was rejecting any possible explanation that might have popped into his head. At the end of the day, they couldn’t make excuses. A boy who couldn’t even walk yet died because of the decisions the adults in The Order were making. “What will you do with Neville?”

[the-king-shacklebolt]

amelia

Missing as much work as she had, at the worst possible time of course, had caused so much to pile up that Amelia was starting to forget what the world outside the Department looked like. No, that wasn’t completely true - everyone under her had done as good a job as she could ask for, but everything had suddenly hit the roof and she wasn’t there to manage the aftershocks and now she was paying for it. At least throwing herself wholeheartedly into work was her coping mechanism of choice.

Kingsley was a needed interruption, but not a wanted one. Her eyes had begun to glaze over from hours of reading over reports, but how could she stop when nothing had been fixed yet? “Come in,” she called, leaning back in her chair and massaging the bridge of her nose in an attempt to ease some of the building tension. Managing a weak smile when she finally dropped her hand, she cast a glance at the fruit. It had been a while since she’d eaten. “Anything good in there?” She asked, gesturing aimlessly. “Report or fruitwise, surprise me.”

At her permission, Kingsley opened Amelia’s office door and walked in with a smooth demeanor. The opposite of what he was feeling, but it was important to keep work and super-secret-spy-work separate. Especially since he was a terrible spy, but a pretty good Auror. “Good evening, Amelia. Catching up I see,” He remarked, there was an undertone of a joke there, but Amelia took her work seriously and Kingsley knew she’d rip him a new one if she thought he was mouthing off. 

He placed the fruit basket on the desk, knowing she probably hadn’t eaten all day. Or for the past two days. “Oh yes, the fruit is very good. In season. Apples. A mango. I even went ahead and snuck a brownie in there,” he smirked, knowing that all the fruit and desserts in the world was not going to soften the blow when he told her about the reports. “As for the reports... Well, at least for my team, nothing new to report. Sadly, no dark wizards have been caught. Which I know is not what you want to hear given the circumstances...” He didn’t even have to say the Potter boy’s name. “Is there anything I can do Amelia? You look like you’re literally drowning in work.”

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Isaac

“Well, I’ll go mad if I’m not doing anything. Cleaning,” without magic, “seems like as good as any task to do,” he shrugged. It’s a hazard of living alone, he figured. Finally, Kingsley decided to help out and warm the food he brought. Isaac smiled and brought out his wand to magically float the newly washed plates and utensils to the table. “Thank Merlin,” he joked. “Then you probably shouldn’t say that you inherited that gene then.”

Isaac was glad for the break from all talk about the Easter Festival. It hasn’t ceased plaguing his place of work. He didn’t need it infiltrating his home as well. Isaac just wished that Kingsley chose something else to take about. “Pardon the disrespect, Kingsley but that’s bloody. Sounds like you’re snookered, mate.” Isaac needed to drown his entire bottle just to stomach that anecdote but he settled for a sip. “You really shouldn’t be using ‘attractive’ and ‘cousins’ in the same paragraph, Shacklebolt.” 

“I sound snookered! I’ve barely had two sips of this drink here to be snookered. I’m just joking!” he laughed, taking a few more sips of his drink. With how everything was going outside of these four walls, he wouldn’t mind being a little snookered at the moment. Kingsley continued, happy to take You’ve got to know my family mate. It’s not as bad as things are here, but they like to keep the magic... within the family, you know? Now, does my father want me to marry a pureblood? Probably? Does he want it to by my cousin? Definitely not. Will I be disowned if I marry whoever I want? Merlin, no. My mother has too much power in the relationship to let that happen. Their marriage was arranged. They want me to make my own choices, thankfully.” He said, finishing off his bottle of beer before hopping up to grab another. 

“So, what do you think of mom’s cooking? It can sometimes be a little spicy if you don’t have her Spanish tastebuds.” He chuckled, sitting back down at the table. He pulled his wand from his pocket to open the drink, but decided he would sit with this one for a while. “Better yet, did I help you take you mind off things?”

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Felix

Something definitely seemed off with Kingsley. It might have been years since they broke things off - amicably, Félix would like to add - Félix still knew the other man well. Kingsley was still someone he loved. Still love, albeit in a much different way now. Circumstances aside, Kingsley was acting strange. Félix had no problem with platonic touches post-breakup but the weight of Kingsley’s hands on his shoulders felt wrong. “Destiny?” he echoed in confusion. “Privacy? From what?” he asked, trying to make sense of it all. Kingsley didn’t seem to be okay. Out of all places, the forest was no place to be unwell. 

Instantly, Félix’s healer instincts kicked in. He ignored Kingsley’s question and brought out his wand before uttering Lumos. The light spilling out of the tip of his wand gave him enough light to check Kingsley’s irises. A firm grasp with his free hand on Kingsley’s right arm, Félix held him steady. “Did you take anything?” Eyebrows relaxing into his well-rehearsed stoic professional demeanor, Félix wasted no time. “Accidentally ingest something?”

Kingsley squinted at the light and took a few steps back from his friend, blocking the light with his arm.”Warn a mate, would you!” he yelled out before consenting to have his eyes checked. It was a fun game for him though. He moved his head this way and that way, making it as hard as possible for Felix to look at his irises. He stopped moving when the other boy grasped his arm. “Accidentlly ingest something? No, no it was quite purposeful indeed.” Kingsley chuckled before taking off and skipping around the fire once. 

“I can assure you, Felix, that I am in my right mind! Just not my full mind.” Kingsley stopped at his bag that he had thrown on the ground. He pulled the Euphoria Elixar he had brewed himself, and brought it over to Felix, still skipping. He uncorked the bottle and shoved it in his direction. “Drink it! Join me on my endeavor as I search for happiness! And... Uh... More happiness!” 

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Katarina

The old saying that flattery would get you anywhere was one she had seen proven true time and time again when all it tended to take for her to win someone over was a few honeyed words and soft smiles. She knew better than to fall for the same methods when they were aimed at her but she couldn’t deny that she did grow that little bit more fond of those that did pay her compliments. Perhaps because she had been so starved of them during her childhood. Hearing Kingsley’s words made her smile that little bit more genuine, practically glowing. “And who am I to withhold any blessings? You’re far too kind, Kingsley, it’s not every day a girl gets told that her looks transcend realities.”

Smile dimmed slowly, a more sombre expression settling over her features at the mention of the Easter Festival. “I’m relieved to hear that, at least you were spared some of the violence.” It wasn’t an entirely insincere statement when aggression had always been her least favourite part of all this. She could concede that it was somewhat necessary to achieve what they all wanted but she didn’t revel in it the way that others might.  “Nothing that hasn’t healed already, I was quite lucky.”

“Yes, well, beauty such as your sure be praised,” he let himself look up and down her body just once. Not lewd enough to be considered rude, but just enough to make his point. Plus, she seemed to be responding to the flattery well enough, and Kingsley needed a Death Eater ally. Well, he needed many, but he would happily start with Kat. “I would have about two dozen cousins who would have my head if I did not properly compliment a woman such as yourself. I do not flatter you just for the sake of flattering you though. I’m afraid I have an ulterior motive.” Kingsley paused for a moment, leaning in closer to whisper into Kat’s ear. “I’d very much like to be your friend.” With a smirk, Kingsley backed away, giving Kat her personal space again. He hoped his words were having an effect on her. 

Soon, his expression matched her’s when the topic changed to the Easter attacks. He nodded, agreeing he was happy to have missed the violence. “I do wish I had been here though. To help...” He didn’t expand, but he gave her a look to show that he meant with the Death Eater’s side of things. “I’m glad to hear you made it out relatively unscathed. You’re one of the few people that doesn’t look at me like I’m up to no good.” He chuckled softly.

[the-king-shacklebolt]

Frank

It was frustrating, doing an interview with Amycus Carrow when Frank knew that he had no useful information on where to find the young boy. They were able to confirm names of various Death Eaters, presumably high amongst the ranks, which would surely be Frank’s next mission once they brought Harry Potter home. But he wasn’t convinced that the higher up Death Eaters would have anything to do with the kidnapping of the child. If they wanted information and anything useful, they would’ve taken Arabella. Frank had learned over the years, though, that sometimes striking fear into their enemies was the only goal the corrupted wizards needed. He didn’t want to give them that satisfaction, letting fear control his actions - but found it was nearly impossible, as a father during all of this, to not be afraid. 

Frank felt his thoughts spiraling, until Kingsley’s sigh brought him back to his kitchen, his hand wrapped around the warm mug and the other gripping his wand. They had a capable wizard like Kingsley, who was on the inside. They had talented Aurors like his wife that would not stop until she found who was responsible. They would win. They had to. “You have to be,” he responded with a nod, confirming Kingsley’s statement, knowing that he didn’t have any other choice but to be careful. The end was certain if he was found out by the wrong people. It felt like a risk having him in his home - it was safe, of course, but they thought Arabella’s place was safe, too. “Have you noticed anyone getting suspicious? Any side comments? Unwilling to meet with you?”

TIME JUMP

A week later, and Kingsley couldn’t believe he was back in Frank’s kitchen, feeling worse than he had before. Was anyone suspicious of him? Yes, Kingsley thought they were suspicious, but everyone was suspicious of everyone in the Death Eaters. They weren’t following him or suspecting that he was sharing information with The Order, but they also weren’t giving him any information either. Kingsley had no idea that they were going to murder the boy. If he had known, if they had trusted them with the information, Kingsley could have protected him. The matter of the fact was, they didn’t trust Kingsley enough yet for him to be useful, and The Order was paying for it now. Especially James and Lily.

“I’m so sorry... For everything,” Kingsley said, leaning against Frank’s kitchen counter, pinching the bridge of his nose. He needed to focus on something other than the hurt man In front of him. “I should have been able to do something. That’s what I’m there for! That’s why I’ve taken this rubbish Dark Mark on my arm! It’s not enough and I’m not doing enough. That poor, innocent boy paid price, much too heavy, because I am inadequate!” His voice wasn’t anything louder than a whisper, but guilt dripped heavily from his words.