In a haste to get away from her mother as quick as possible, Cho weaved her way through the crowded streets of Diagon Alley. There was a reason why she avoided the woman at all costs, the two barely saw eye to eye. Turning down a secured job at the Ministry to become a full-time Quidditch Player wasn’t what her mother had imagined for not only her daughter — but her only child. Jaw clenched and nails sharp through her sweater protecting her arms as she strode on, Cho turned into a quiet corner where she liked to apparate. As looked over her shoulder to make sure the older woman was nowhere to be seen, she collided with something or someone — dropping her tote bag and her belongings spilling across the pavement along with it. “Bloody hell —” she muttered to herself, followed by a string of mumbled curses as she bent down. “— I’m so sorry.”
After purchasing what he needed at the Apothecary, Oliver thanked the shopkeeper and made his way outside. He’d found sleep hard to come by for the last couple of nights due to focusing on his work but only realised he’d run out of ingredients to make Sleeping Draught when he reached for it. And that was how he found himself walking the cobble streets of Diagon Alley. Though, to be sure he had everything with him as he didn’t want to go back, he shifted his gaze to check the contents of the bag as he walked. Due to the fact that he was a bit sleep deprived, Oliver wasn’t thinking properly and completely forgot that he shouldn’t take his eyes off of what was in front of him. So, when he smacked dead into someone, he should’ve expected it. “ò mo chreach! I’m so sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was going,” he apologised as he helped the witch gather her things. “Are you alright?”
who: theodore nott & oliver sanders @veelaism
what: the quibbler’s valentine’s blind date
where: fortescue’s ice cream shop, diagon alley
theodore wasn’t exactly mad, per say, rather he was annoyed. or perhaps frustrated was a better word for what he was experiencing. considering he hadn’t even been the one to fill out the questionnaire, it was surprising that he had even bothered to show up. however, the threat of a week long itching curse had been enough to insure his appearance. that, and perhaps, he was feeling somewhat optimistic- that maybe this date wouldn’t be that bad. of course, it all came down to his date themselves.
arriving early, he located his table and took a seat. it would be rude to go ahead and order, he realized, besides, he wasn’t that big of an ice cream fan. why his date couldn’t have been elsewhere… still, he was determined to remain somewhat positive, even as what felt like an eternity passed before someone approached his table. allowing a smile to appear across his face, he lifted his head to look at his date. “hello, i’m going to assume you’re my date. i’m theodore nott,” he greeted the other male formally, stopping short of extending his hand- after all, it wasn’t a business meeting.
to say oliver felt nervous about his blind date was an understatement. the veela had thought trying something new by filling out the application in the quibbler would be fun but didn’t realise how anxious he’d be once it rolled around. while oliver had dated a few guys since he left school, he could honestly say he’d never been on a blind date before. they had seemed too risky to him given how often his looks attracted the wrong sort of attention, but still remained optimistic about it and hoped his date was kind. plus, he couldn’t get out of it even if he wanted to thanks to that itching curse.
he’d been both surprised and relieved to know his request for the date to be at the parlour had been granted, mainly because it was a familiar place and he knew people there as he was a regular. he didn’t want to keep his date waiting any longer so he apparated right in front of the shop, searching inside for anyone alone when he spotted what he assumed was his date and approached the table. “oh, i’m glad you are! it would’ve been awkward if you weren’t,” he giggled softly as he took a seat but felt a bit of momentary discomfort once the man introduced himself. “your name’s theodore? oh…well, it’s nice to meet you, theodore. i’m oliver,” he held out his hand for him to shake before light-heartedly adding, “okay, be honest, are you much of an ice cream fan?”
The day had been a long one, there was no doubt of that. Lavinia had been to see a psychic who had told her that her efforts would be fruitless. What did they know any ways? Who were they to say anything at all? Needless to say she was not in the mood for anything more on her plate today. The Leaky Cauldron had simply been a meeting place not one for pleasure. Loud, crowded, easy to be unassuming here. As she less than gracefully left her booth she looked back to see the bill she was leaving unpaid for only to abruptly be interrupted in her path, “Excuse m––oh. It’s you.”
oliver exited the loo after washing his hands and checking he still had his bags on him. he’d stopped by the leaky cauldron for some lunch once he was done shopping, now on his way out when he bumped into someone. “oops! sorry.” he apologised and was going to carry until he saw why she bumped into him. “you know, you’re supposed to pay for that.” he threw a quick glance at the untouched bill on the table. starting trouble wasn’t something that oliver ever wanted to do, but he’d still speak up if he saw someone doing something he thought was wrong. it seemed they’d met before though as her words insinuated that they had. “sorry, do i know you?” the veela asked with confusion. he’d always been good with faces but appeared to have forgotten hers.
“ you’re absolutely right, but that would perhaps be too easy.” verity has never had a problem being honest, perhaps too honest. “ so you’re telling me your dealing with all this sober ? i don’t know how you’re doing it. the corner is because i dread small talk, and i’m here because of my last name mainly.”
he couldn’t argue there. he’d always wondered why it was so difficult for most people to be honest with both themselves and others. sometimes he guessed it was because honesty was so common in the deaf community, expected even, but learned early on the hearing one didn’t share the same sentiment. “of course! cause no one likes the easy way.” the veela said cheerfully but with a hint of sarcasm. “i’ve never had a taste for it, but getting pissed at work isn’t a good idea either. oops! i’ve done just that, have i?” he asked with a sheepish expression.
it wasn’t often that oliver could be seen aimlessly wandering diagon alley at this time but found himself so doing anyway. he’d gotten off of work early for the first time in a long time, for him at least since he usually preferred to work overtime simply because he loved his job, and wasn’t sure what else to do now that he had some extra time on his hands. he wasn’t really in the mood to return home as it was too early nor did he feel like window shopping either. if it had been a weekend, he would’ve asked his mates to hang with him but felt it would be too much to ask as it was a work day, but that was until he realised he could still do both. and that’s how he found himself at the leaky cauldon, resting on the bar as he smiled at cerise. “surprise! thought i’d stop by and say hi.” @ofenchantment
verity can relate to that she is a burke.. not that anyone would let her forget that. “ you and me both.” a nod to further prove that NOBODY else probably got it better. “ sometimes, yeah. gives an excuse to enjoy champagne. for being here or for hiding in this here corner ? “
he had a mind to ask why it was that she was dragged to gatherings like these often but figured he shouldn’t pry. “my condolences then. honestly, these wouldn’t be so bad and maybe even be a little more enjoyable if everyone was real about why they’re here.” oliver stated with a light shrug. it was obvious why most people were, to make important connections in this “new era”. “i wouldn’t know since i don’t drink but i’ll take your word for it,” he chuckled softly. “hmm, both, i guess.”
“ hello fellow wallflower.” verity greets in return, shoulders shrug ever so slightly ( after so many ) it wasn’t really that bothersome. “ just needed a quiet spot to myself, you not a fan either ? “
it had always comforted him to know he could find someone chilling in a corner somewhere no matter what kind of party he was at. “not really. mainly because i’ve been forced to attend loads of these over the years,” oliver admitted with a shake of his head before adding, “i mean sometimes they’re for a great cause but i don’t feel that’s the case this time. i’m only here since i work for the ministry. what’s your excuse if you don’t mind me asking?”
verity is in the corner of the room it’s not that unusual, ( given how weary people are still ) but what she doesn’t expect is someone approaching.“ what brings you over to my little area ? “
not one for fancy galas given the few he’d been forced to attend over the five years he’d worked for the ministry, oliver found himself perfectly fine with keeping out of the way and simply watching others have a good time. it was why he decided to join another likeminded attendee in the corner of the room. “just figured i’d join a fellow wallflower. not a fan a galas?” he asked as he lowered his gaze to her lips to read her reply.
⧼ asa butterfield, cis male, he & him / unbreakable by tori kelly + oversized sweaters, warmth of sunshine, giggles that sound like bells, stacks of science books, starry night skies. ⧽ ━━ hey, isn’t that OLIVER SANDERS? i read a daily prophet article on them, once ; the TWENTY ONE year old HALF VEELA WIZARD is a HUFFLEPUFF alumnus who has gone on to be a UNSPEAKABLE. i’ve heard they can be quite KIND-HEARTED & INTELLIGENT, but i don’t know… they came off very SELF-SACRIFICING & STUBBORN in that interview. it really is hard to know what to believe these days though, isn’t it? [ haiz, 25, est, they/them ]
Full Name: Oliver Joseph Sanders
Nickname(s): Oli, Olive, Ols
Birthday: October 31st
Sexuality: Homoflexible
Languages: English, British Sign Language, Scottish Gaelic
Wand: Alder, Phoenix feather, 13 ½ inches
Special Abilities: Non-verbal magic
oliver was born an only child in stornoway, scotland to a small but tight-knit wizarding community. his parents were both magizoologist who didn’t want a big family as they thought it would be unfair to split their time between more than one child. but oliver was never lonely despite not having siblings because he shared his home with many animals and knew just about everyone in his community, the neighborhood children becoming his surrogate siblings. he lived a comfortable life with his family even if his parents weren’t rich and was spoiled with all the love and affection that a growing boy his age needed to flourish.
he contracted an aggressive illness at the age of seven that magic couldn’t cure and was nearly killed by it. he managed to survive, but lost his hearing in the process as it had damaged both of his ears and caused severe hearing loss. it took many years of rehabilitation and hard work before oliver was able to speak british sign language and preserve his speaking abilities to communicate with both the deaf and hearing.
most times oliver’s mistaken for being shy and quiet or dumb because he’s deaf, but he’s not like that at all. in actuality, he’s very extroverted and friendly, able to befriend just about anyone regardless of their hearing ability. his heart is literally the size of africa and he has the capability to love and find the best in even the worst of people, wanting only to shower others with all the care and support he thinks they deserve. he’s sensitive and forgiving but will not let someone walk all over him, loves to try new things if it interests him and has got a good sense of humor too.
oliver experienced discrimination from all blood types in school due to him being deaf. thanks to his determination and hard work to prove others wrong though, he managed to eventually rise above the well-known stereotype of deaf wixfolk being simple-minded and unable to perform magic and earned the respect of his peers once he had worked to become one of the brightest students in the school.
he’s half veela from his mother’s side and is extremely humble about his looks despite his attractiveness. he’s never thought of himself as special or better than anyone because of it or allowed the attention he gets go to his head. while it has brought him a lot of the unwanted sort from others and made him cautious with who he interacts with, it hasn’t done enough damage to change who he is and is just grateful he didn’t inherit his mother’s temper too.
he was an original member of dumbledore’s army while he was still attending hogwarts. he disagreed with the decisions being made at the school and felt it was important to be prepared for what was to come. despite his worry that the other students would stereotype him or look down on him for being deaf, he was accepted and welcomed with open arms as much as the others students. the acceptance changed nothing about him though as oliver still worked hard as he’d always done in the past to be a valuable member of the army.
oliver’s a massive science nerd. it doesn’t matter what kind of science it is, he will read it and study it until he can memorize everything word for word or perform a certain experiment blindfolded, but it’s astronomy where his heart truly lies. he fell in love with space the first time he witnessed a lunar eclipse when he was ten and knew it was what he wanted to spend the rest of his life learning about. it’s why he chose to become an unspeakable, to study the universe and magic’s limitations within it in the space chamber.
he fought alongside dumbledore’s army during the battle of hogwarts. while he was terrified that he wouldn’t survive in the end, he stayed because he thought it was the right thing to do. he managed to survive but watched as many of his friends didn’t follow, including his cousin who he thought of as a brother, and is still haunted by their deaths despite six year having passed.
