t-lden

[t-lden]

xormxail​:

-

He loathed having to hand off information.

It was like all the nightmares and monsters he went out of his way to avoid came together at once and all he could do was give into them again to save his own skin. Sure what he’d given away thus far was essentially harmless, but that wouldn’t last. He knew it wouldn’t.

He was so lost in his own thoughts and haste to get home he nearly barrelled into the other taking the same out of the way “O-oh. S-sorry, so sorry.” he stuttered. Peter had no hope of hiding who he was when he stuttered so much. It never used to be so bad but his encounter with the Dark Lord left more than just a scar on his back.  

.

Tilden looked at him questionably a moment, then with recognition, and lastly; concern. “It’s okay,” His features looked panicked, and by the way he was breathing it was nothing but anxiety running through him. The poor guy. Tilden helped him up a little, holding his arm a moment with a more tender touch, “I’m sorry, really, should’ve been watching a bit better... but nevermind that... You look bloody rough mate. Are you alright?”

[t-lden]

vanityemmx​:

—

Emma rarely found herself down Knockturn Alley. Her family might be aligned with the death eaters, but she hadn’t made that decisions yet. But her father had wanted her to collect something from the Alley, and one didn’t usually say no to her father. He was tense, and she could tell that something had gone on. Of course, she knew about the latest attack, but her father hadn’t said anything. She knew better than to mention it herself. Maybe one of her siblings would let her know.

“Oh… Sorry….” She murmured, shaking her head. She recognised the man ahead of her, even if she didn’t know him too well. It was obvious they both needed to get through. This was why she didn’t like Knockturn Alley too much. It was far too enclosed for her liking. “Sorry….” She murmured, stepping to the side, even though it really wasn’t her fault, not hers only anyway.

.

Emma... Slytherin? Tilden couldn’t quite place her right now, amongst the other things he was thinking about. 

“It’s fine,” He stepped, but with her, and sighed, stepping back and turning slightly. “I- Look, I’ll just,” Tilden could feel them inching closer as he tried to slip by but it was uncomfortable at best and this wasn’t the day for it, “Turn around.” Tilden took a wide step back, shaking his head, and then apparated to the other side of Emma, “Problem solved.” 

It wasn’t his first thought, he was just really going to walk out and let her by in the end, but occasionally he was clever and it definitely helped. Tilden was stuck in spot momentarily however, “Are you... Are you okay?” He wasn’t sure what it was, but something had stopped him, made him ask. “Look a little lost, maybe is all...” 

[t-lden]

dvisyhookum​:

This was stupid - possibly the worst decision she had made since taking the Mark. Yet, Daisy couldn’t bring herself to stop from leaning into him. She knew she shouldn’t, that they would regret this later, that this was going to change everything between them - but it felt right. Like she belonged in his arms, as though the two of them fit perfectly together like pieces of a puzzle.

As Tilden closed the distance between them, Daisy smiled against his lips. She missed this - she missed him. Letting her hand trail down from his cheek to his neck, her other hand reached out and gripped the front of his shirt, pulling him slightly closer to her. When he pulled back from her, Daisy pouted slightly - she didn’t want to stop. But her smile quickly returned as he spoke. “You certainly have a way of making me feel that way,” She replied softly with a giggle.

Sighing softly, Daisy moved closer to him, draping one of her legs over his. “We’re going to regret this.” She mumbled, thinking out loud. But she decided that was a problem for later, and she leaned into him again, pressing her lips against his again, slightly harder this time as she wrapped her arm around his neck.

.

This was a dream worth living to see. Daisy with him once more.

“You deserve to feel that way. Always.” Tilden tilted his head so they never had to break contact, some slight touch always there. 

Daisy’s body was like a security blanket, comfort and love filling his body. As she kissed him, Tilden felt himself lose all thought, arms wrapping around her tightly. Their lips moved so perfectly. A beautiful moment he would regret, but with little remorse. How could he apologise for this when it only felt right?

Tilden’s moved her onto his lap properly, kissing her softly before he broke away, pecking at her lips and cheeks, “You are perfect.” His smile turned to a soft chuckle as he brushed his lips over her ear, “I’ll happily deal with the consequences.”

[t-lden]

severusxtobias​:

Severus chuckled darkly, shaking his head. “That’s certainly no way to speak to an ally.” He drawled, raising an eyebrow. Severus straightened and pulled himself up to his full height, shifting so he could plant himself more fully in the others way. He wasn’t a particularly large man, but he’d spent the better part of the last seven months perfecting looking down on people. “Unless, of course… you don’t see me as an ally?” His tone was casual, but the implication was clear. He hadn’t been one to agree with finding people to join, after all, and he didn’t trust them. Severus had thought they should let them come on their own. But Voldemort had never been known for his patience, or his penchant for listening to advice. As far as Severus was concerned - not a single damn one of them was worth the trouble. 

At least Tilden didn’t pretend to like him - he could respect him for that, if nothing else. So many followers (especially those ranked so low) all but threw themselves at his feet looking for good favor. If only they realized Severus was not a man who had good favor to give. His fingers twitched against his chest, wanting to reach for his wand, but he didn’t move. Not yet, anyway. “You seem particularly unhappy to see me, actually.” He went on, his dark gaze unwavering as he refused to look anywhere but the other man’s eyes. “Not afraid we might let something slip, are we?" 

.

“Allies don’t have to be friends last time I checked,” Tilden copied Severus’ tone, not breaking eye contact. This snake wasn’t worth his time. 

Calm, be calm. Tilden sighed, tilting his head slightly to the other, “You’re not my favourite person, granted, but hardly hiding anything from you.” This was beyond idiotic, Tilden wanted to be done with this, deliver his message, and go home to a cup of tea amongst his plants. There were noises behind him as a group of wizards passed them unknowingly, “Severus, look, we don’t exactly get along, so why don’t we just leave each other be.” Tilden’s voice had dropped a little, only letting another sigh out as he heard the voices drift away, “You can accompany me if you wish, I have nothing to hide.” It wasn’t his first choice, but perhaps his easiest.

[t-lden]

severusxtobias​:

He was in a bit of a hurry, trying to get the errands done that he’d intended to do before the meeting was suddenly called - but now he had significantly less time. Severus had been called to a second, more intimate meeting, and frankly, he wasn’t in the best of moods. It was a good thing for him that he knew the shadows of Knockturn Alley like an old friend, and he was able to slip through without many holdups. 

Until he ran into Tilden, that was. He was in a bit of a hurry, but he had time for this. He stopped in the middle of the narrow space, all but blocking his way, although there didn’t seem to really be much for that, even if he’d wanted to simply go about his business. Severus’ eyes narrowed, watching him closely. He didn’t trust him - but that was hardly anything new. He didn’t trust most everyone. But there had been a few names to pop into his head as the Dark Lord had been talking. 

He crossed his arms, an eyebrow arching as he spoke. “And if I do mind?”

.

Severus Snape, not one to get Tilden’s kindness twice usually, but he knew that this wizard was a favourite of the Dark Lords. Why? He’d never know... Nothing special ‘bout him, not in Tilden’s opinion at least. Although his distain may have come from a more emotional place these days.

“And if you do, then I will be making my way regardless, but with some struggle it would seem,” Tilden wasn’t going to fake the smile, and instead left it on his cold, unnervingly emotionless state he often wore these days, “So, I’ll be getting by now,” Tilden stepped toward Severus, eyes now shimmering with anger, “If you’ll be minding it, or not.” Now was not the time to lose his shit, now was not the time to fuck things up... But Severus was someone he’d like to avoid, not for any other reason than he wasn’t quite sure what would come of their interaction. 

His fear had been realised it seemed.

[t-lden]

sinistralovve​:

The meeting had put Sinistra on edge ever since she left. Who would dare go against the Dark Lord, after everything he had done for the wizarding world? He was doing what he could to keep the bloodlines pure, he was everything that she aspired to be. She would never forget the way he looked directly into her eyes before demanding the person who had staged the attacks to be found.

Of course she didn’t know exactly who had done it, but she had some suspects on her list. The first being the plant boy - Tilden. He was new, not fully ready to commit to the Death Eaters, which was skeptical on its own, but he was also out of town for a suspiciously long time before the attack, only to turn back up at the meeting. Sinistra didn’t trust him, and she wanted to remain on Voldemort’s good side, so she took it upon herself to track him down and question him.

After spotting him in Knockturn Alley, Sinistra circled around in an attempt to block him off from wherever he was going. It worked, and the two of them were only inches away from each other in the little short cut between buildings. A menacing grin grew on her lips as he spoke and Sinistra shook her head. “I do mind, actually.” She replied, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Tilden, yes? I do believe the two of us need to talk.” Without warning, she apparated the two of them to the basement of Borgin and Burke’s, somewhere that had been offered to her in order to have a quiet place to question her suspects.

.

Tilden looked over the person once more, recognition as soon as her lips parted. “Sinistra, I-” There was air rushing around them, and suddenly Tilden was in a dark room, a basement? And there was a moment before he took a large leap back from Sinistra and drew his wand, instinctual but stupid he knew. “I don’t know what it is you want, but I had nothing to do with the killing!” Tilden’s gaze was full of fear, and he could see it reflected in those evil eyes, he knew she could probably smell it in his sweat too... What had he done?

[t-lden]

dvisyhookum​:

Everything with Tilden has always been so easy. They hardly had to exchange any words and they just seemed to understand each other. For as long as they’ve known each other, it’s always seemed to be that way, and Daisy was thankful to have his continuous support. Smiling slightly as he sat beside her, she instinctually leaned her shoulder against his, nodding her head slightly as he spoke. She hated that Tilden was in a similar situation as her - she wouldn’t wish this type of fear on anybody - but at least he understood what she was going through.

As he continued, Daisy stared at him with wide eyes. Her heart was pounding in her chest, butterflies in her stomach going absolutely insane. They were quite bad at being just friends, weren’t they? “Tilden,” She breathed his name, not entirely sure how to respond to him. She knew she should pull her hand away, that she should put some distance between the two of them, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Daisy would be lying if she said that she didn’t feel the same way he did - that his safety was more important to her than her own, that she just wanted to see him make it out of the war alive and well, that she loved him more than absolutely anything else in the entire world. But she wasn’t sure that she was ready to admit that quite yet.

Staying quiet for a moment, she shifted slightly to face him head on. “We’ll get through it together.” Daisy agreed, deciding for her own sake not to admit her own feelings for him. “As long as we have each other, we can get through anything.” She smiled, moving slightly closer to him. The longer the two of them sat together, the harder it was for her to tell herself that they were just friends. Pulling her hand away from his, Daisy moved it up to cup his cheek gently, and without realizing it, she was slowly leaning in to him. She should have stopped herself, she knew this was a stupid idea, and that she would regret it later, but that was a problem for later. “Stop me if you don’t want me to kiss you.” Daisy said softly, realizing there was only an inch or so between them.

.

Tilden was lost in those curious eyes, the ones that shone with love and admiration and wonder, the ones looking right back at him. She was the only person in the world he would be this close to and not go red hot with anxiety. But the blush was still filling his features, and rightfully so as her warmth finally was felt on his cheek.

Instinct. Daisy had been leaning in, and Tilden naturally moved his hand over hers, “I want nothing less.” It was pleading, a need, begging for her confidence to not shy away now. He closed the gap between them, lips grazing over Daisy’s before taking her into a deep kiss. Tilden’s hands had moved to her now, one on her cheek, the other wrapped around her waist. It didn’t matter what they’d regret tomorrow, only that they could have each other now. 

Tilden realised his eyes had been closed, even in those little breaths between their lips colliding, not wanting the moment to move so quickly. Fingers found their way to Daisy’s hair, he drew back slowly, forehead leaning on her’s before he tucked some hair behind her ear, “You are extraordinarily beautiful, do you know that?”

[t-lden]

-

All seemed dark, all seemed quiet, all seemed afraid...

Taking a left turn and slipping into Knockturn Alley, Tilden watched as the wizards and witches grew darker, more secretive. The meeting had been intimidating, the interviewing even more so, and it seemed to have people disappearing faster than usual.

His eyes locked with another. A skinny lane had caught them face to face, with but a hairs width between their noses. Tilden took a sudden step back, noting that it would take them both shuffling past awkwardly for any sort of mutual gain. The face didn’t go unrecognised though.

It didn’t seem to occur to him someone else may know of this little short cut, and the expression on his face was more intense than usual. Normally he was pretty collected, but unexpected change had never sat well. “I just,” Tilden cleared his throat, “I needed to get through, if you wouldn’t mind...?”

[t-lden]

dvisyhookum​:

Daisy’s smile grew slightly at the feeling of his hand on her back. Butterflies appeared in her stomach at the contact, blush growing on her cheeks. But they were too close - if they were going to make this friendship work, she needed to push aside her feelings for him. At least for now. Daisy took a small step away from him just as he did the same, and she shrugged out of her jacket as he spoke again.

“I just…” She started, sighing softly as she hung up her coat and kicked off her shoes by the door. “I needed somebody to talk to.” Turning to move further into his house, Daisy glanced around. The place was spotless, which meant Tilden was just as nervous as she was. She had known him long enough to know that cleaning was one way that he coped with things. “I’m sorry to stop by unannounced, perhaps I should have sent an owl to give you some warning.” Usually she would have, but things were quickly growing even more scary than she initially thought they were and she desperately needed to get her thoughts out of her head.

Continuing into the house, Daisy found herself in his living room, plopping down on the couch and picking up one of the throw pillows, holding it close to herself. She knew she was in the clear, she hadn’t cast the spell, and she had an alibi. But she knew she wasn’t trusted and she figured she’d be questioned soon enough, which was a terrifying thought on its own. The Death Eaters had already threatened her life once and that was enough, she didn’t want it to happen again. Swallowing hard, she glanced to Tilden, trying to keep the worry off her face but she was positive it was unsuccessful. “I’m scared.”

.

“I understand,” He slipped in as she spoke, though not many words passed it felt like an unspoken conversation between them. The gesture was kind, but Tilden had dreamt of the day Daisy would call on him unannounced, unaware... But in his dreams, all this nonsense, well it simply wasn’t there. “Owls are hardly necessary for friends such as you, and during these times I’d keep my wits about sending one in the first place,” Tilden’s mouth running his train of thoughts for a moment, and he mentally noted to not write that owl to...

Daisy was out of sight. And within four steps, he could gaze at her once more. His feelings only bloomed, although so did his flings. Tilden wished only to be with Daisy, truly, to come home to her... But it wasn’t right, apparently... Yet his heart still longed so.

Her words, that expression, those poor eyes. Tilden felt himself shift, an ache filling his chest as his feet carried him to her. Auto-pilot the muggles would call it. Instinct, he thought was a better term, to be with her. He sat close, “So am I,” His voice was quiet, “But my fear for your safety, I’m afraid, outweighs that greatly. Daisy, I won’t let them hurt you.” Tilden took her hand, placing it on his own heart, “I swear to you, we’ll get through this. Together.” He took Daisy’s hand in a tighter grip, lowering them, “Daisy, I-” He swallowed, “I know we’ve both been through so much, and this feels like it could be the end, but just know I will always, always, love you.” Tilden felt his gaze drop only when tears pricked at his eyes, “I just need to make sure you make it out of this alive, and safe... and hopefully, one day, happy...”

[t-lden]

dvisyhookum​:

Daisy was scared - more than scared, she was absolutely terrified. Someone dared to go against the Dark Lord? While of course she didn’t agree with what he was doing, she wasn’t about to go against him. She valued her life more than anything else. But she was new, she only had the mark for a few months, and she was the exact opposite of everybody else in the Death Eaters. Daisy was bubbly and optimistic, soft and accepting, anybody who knew her knew that she was nothing like them. So it freaked her out, to know that there was somebody within the Death Eaters that was possibly betraying them, did that mean that there was a target on her back?

She needed to talk to somebody. Tilden. He always made her feel better. Leaving her half finished work on the bench, Daisy grabbed her jacket as she left the greenhouse, slipping it on before apparating to his house. Knocking on the door in the familiar pattern they had for each other, she took a step back and shoved her hands in her pocket as she waited. Glancing up when the door opened, she smiled up to him slightly. “Hi.” Daisy greeted softly, feeling better just from seeing him. “Can I come in?”

@t-lden​​

.

He’d been away, and then the mark had appeared. So much for getting away from things. And then this meeting, one of their own? Merlin...

Tilden sighed heavily, his house was freshly cleaned and the air felt crisp, an anxious habit that luckily was quite rewarding. The thousands of plants within and surrounding his home naturally making the air feel lighter.

The sound; tappity tap, tapppity tap; Daisy.

Tilden near jumped over the couch, launching himself clumsily at the door, taking the coat rack with him before managing to shove it back to it’s original stance. It wobbled, settled and gave Tilden the half second to smooth back his hair and wipe the sweat from his brow.

“Daisy,” Tilden’s smile turned from forced to genuine in one look, but he knew why she’d be here, this somehow didn’t cloud her beauty. “Please,” He stepped aside, hand on her lower back as he ushered her in a little quickly, “It’s safer in here.” Tilden looked to her, they were close - too close - and he took a small step back as the blush hit his face, “What brings you here? Well, I think I know what but... why?”

[t-lden]

dvisyhookum​:

Any tension she was feeling immediately disappeared at his response. He understood. She really should have known he would have - he was the only person who always understood her decisions, and supported them. “I don’t know, Tilden.” Daisy sighed, her head shaking slightly. Perhaps it was a smart idea for her to agree to the mark, but it wasn’t who she was. She felt absolutely horrible - a lot of her friends were muggleborn. How would they react when they found out? “I’m not sure I feel much safer.”

As he stepped closer to her, Daisy halted her pacing and looked up to him, smiling gently as his hands found hers. She missed him, and she couldn’t be more glad to have him here with her. Even if she was admitting to him that she was a Death Eater. “Thank you.” Daisy said softly, squeezing his hands lightly as she spoke, “For understanding, and for being here for me.” She took another small step closer to him, “And for not hating me. I don’t know what I’d do if this was the final straw for you - but I would have understood.” Dropping his hands, Daisy wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight and pressing her forehead against his chest. This was all she needed right now - to be here with Tilden.

.

Tilden only looked at her, soaking in every word, and he was honestly a little lost with his own. What he wanted to say must remain unsaid, what he needed to say wasn’t appropriate right now... He only looked, and felt his heart ache more for the woman before him.

Her final movement was one he had dreamt of since the moment he had left Hogwarts, for Daisy to feel like this in his arms once more. Loved, safe, without worry for even the briefest of seconds. Tilden would do simply anything for her, and that scared him to death if he was frank.

Tilden’s arms wrapped around her, a hand moving to cradle her head gently as he begun to sway. Together they moved slowly, yet Tilden felt time rushing past, as if he could never have long enough, that some wicked force was trying to speed things up. The man’s chest felt a warmth he’d grown to miss, “I don’t want to overstep with you Daisy,” Tilden let his hand move from her head, bringing it around to gently cup her cheek, “But I have missed your embrace, it feels like I haven’t truly taken a breath since we last touched now that I’m with you again.” He kept a firm hold on her, arms only loosening briefly as they moved further to her waist.

[t-lden]

lvpinremvs​:

Remus nodded, smiling to Tilden before he took off through the crowd again. Even though he stood a head taller than most people, he held his drink up above everybody else in an attempt to make sure it wouldn’t spill. It would likely be his last one for the night and he didn’t want to lose a drop of it. When he had reached the end of the crowd, he glanced behind him to ensure Tilden was still behind him - he had already lost his friends, and didn’t want to lose the only other person he recognized, too. Glancing around, Remus spotted an empty booth in the very back corner of the pub, perfect.

He placed his drink down and sat with his back against the wall, bringing his feet up on the seat and pulling his knees into his chest. Remus smiled as Tilden spoke again, tilting his head slightly before shooting him a slightly puzzled look. “About me?” He questioned. He could only imagine - he was always far too tall and skinny, not to mention the ugly scar across the middle of his face. Compared to James and Sirius, he knew he was nothing special. Remus shrugged his shoulders, picking up his drink and taking a sip from it. “Honestly - not sure what brought me here. I didn’t plan on coming, but something told me that this was the place to be. What about you? Are you still seeing that that girl?” He had to think for a moment, she was a bit younger, red hair, a flower name, maybe? “Daisy?”

.

“Tall, mysterious and handsome, of course they were talking ‘bout ya mate!” Tilden gave him a friendly chuckle and grin, the drink settling with him now. 

The place to be. It seemed to be just that, the most popular he’d seen the place since Christmas. The mention of Daisy made him swallow, hard, and he took the last of his drink down before replying, “No, no, we ended things before I graduated. Just didn’t seem like the right thing I guess, we’re better off friends.” Oh how Tilden could lie. And the distraction of Remus helped. “Haven’t been with anyone since really, few one night stands and things, nothing serious though. What about you?” His eyes made a more prominent move over the other’s body, an upward scan to finally meet those beautiful eyes, high cheekbones, and that killer smile, “Anyone on the radar?” Tilden took a step toward the other, casual but not without meaning, “Thinking back on the crowd at Hogwarts, there’s a few people here alone that wouldn’t mind having a piece of you I reckon.”

[t-lden]

ttonk​:

⌖

He nodded, turning away and trying and failing to grab the bartender’s attention. “You can. Thought this place was supposed to be a dive. Did it get popular recently or something?” He had never ventured inside here because he wanted to be in the midst of a crowd. Quite the opposite actually. The best conversations you could have with people were one on one and the Three Broomsticks had never lent itself to the kind of soul-searching conversations Ted had been particular to in his later years at Hogwarts.  “To Hogsmeade or to here? Needed a drink. Just didn’t expect all of, well, this. Came to the event with my family, actually, and had a sneaking suspicion my kid was running around in here. It just turned out to be right.”

.

“Valentines seems to bring out the worst in some,” Tilden observed, although he was convinced it was most who acted foul around these times.

Tilden took a swig, giving a shrug to the question, allowing the man to continue. A kid running around here? Tilden was surprised he hadn’t noticed, “Oh? Well, glad you found them.” The ginger had run dry it seemed, ordering another drink as quickly as it would come, “Not sure it’s the best place to be letting a kid run ‘round though, especially considering the times.”

[t-lden]

I will always remain soft for you. Despite a bad mood, a bad day or the bad thoughts whirring on repeat in my head, graze my skin with your fingertips and I’ll turn to running water every damn time. But even then, I love you in ways that not even the sea could ever comprehend.

you are my tide, waves and shore all at once. (via velcroheartstrings)

@t-lden

(via dvisyhookum)

[t-lden]

xormxail​:

When: Friday Feb 13th 1981 Where: Hogsmeade, Streets With: Tilden, @t-lden​ 

Peter hadn’t wanted the damn thing, he’d only gone into the shop looking to drown his misery in a little chocolate (he always ate when he was down, if not for him being unable to eat when stressed he’d probably be the size of a house). But no the damn shop owner just had to recognise him from The Prophet’s article about the ministry attack and gushed about how lucky he was and how he deserved something fun. So they’d all but thrown a bottle of their strongest love potion at him and insisted it was on the house. 

With a flushed face he left as quickly as he could, back still smarting with every step, didn’t look where he was going and promptly bashed into someone, stumbling back, dropping his bag and bending forward in pain at the jostle to his injured body. “S-s-” his words were stuttered, smothered under the pain he was trying to reign in, by the time he was upright again he could his chocolate bar, and the damn love potion, were both on display having rolled out of the bag. 

With an embarassed sigh he lent against the wall, just the thought of bending over to pick them up made him want to cry. “S-sorry.” he finally muttered out. 

.

Peppermint, Moonstone, Rose Petals....  Ashwinder Eggs... What was the last bloody thing? Merlin, his brain must’ve been wired wrong this morning. Ashwinder Eggs... Pearl Dust! Tilden looked up as if a lightbulb had really lit up above his head, but just in time to collide with a strangely familiar face.

The man’s stuttering took him off guard a little, these days having much less interaction with the emotionally vulnerable. Tilden looked the man over once more, and without really paying attention to what he was grabbing, gathered the items to put back in the other’s bag. “You’re okay, mate,” His voice was gentle, how odd, but he handed the bag over with no hesitation, “’ere you are, you’re all good,” Lightbulb! Peter Pettigrew..? 

“You need a hand? You seem a little flustered,” Tilden wasn’t really sure what he meant by it either. Help with what? Well, anything it would seem, this was a known ally at the end of the day, and a good one to have at that. But, at the very least, Tilden did have some compassion to a fumbling man coming out of a chocolate shop the day before Valentines.

[t-lden]

lvpinremvs​:

Remus had gone to the Hog’s Head in hopes to get away from people - it was usually known as somewhere to go when you didn’t want to be seen. Given the state of the rest of Hogsmeade, he really should have expected the place to be just as crowded, but it still came as a shock when he entered the bar to find it nearly wall-to-wall full of people. Remus huffed, ruffling his hair as he pushed his way through the crowd, thankfully he was skinny and lanky enough to slip through people easily until he reached the bar. He placed an order with Aberforth, feeling bad for the man as he was tending the bar alone. It must have been overwhelming for someone not used to such a crowd.

He turned around, figuring it would be a moment before his drink was made, and took in the faces around him. He searched desperately for someone he knew - James and Sirius had to be around somewhere - but he came up empty handed. Turning back as he heard a glass hit the counter, he immediately pulled away when a voice stopped him. “Shit, sorry mate.” He grinned, recognizing the person speaking to him vaguely. “Hey - Tilden, right?” He questioned, picking up the next glass that hit the counter. “Not a fan of crowds, either? Must be a quieter spot somewhere if you wanna follow me.”

.

Remus Lupin. A sight to behold it would seem. He’d always looked rather scrawny in school Tilden had thought, a certain sickness about him maybe. But he stood before Tilden in a way a Gryffindor just might, and he wasn’t mad about it. “Lupin,” He replied in greeting, confirming the other’s observation. Remus looked to have filled out a little, come into his own, yet there still seemed to be some wall there and Tilden only could see this because of his own insecurities. He had built walls for every person, down to strangers and acquaintances alike.

“Wouldn’t mind a break from all this,” Tilden glanced at the crowd before his eyes drew back to Remus’, “Lead on.” He watched the other man navigate the crowd, doing what he could to read him a little better. They’d only briefly interacted at Hogwarts, and after that it seemed Tilden had drifted from most people like Remus. And for a moment Daisy was the one he was following. Another swig of his drink quickly shook the thought as his ears relaxed on the more muffled, muted party behind them, and his eyes found the man’s features once more. He really had grown up... “So, what brings you out tonight? Figured you’d be taken by now, Lupin, considering what the Hufflepuff ladies used to say ‘bout ya.”

[t-lden]

dcrxasmeadcwes​:

…

Dorcas couldn’t quite help herself when she smirked at the ever growing blush on Tilden’s face. Maybe it was mean, the teasing, but Doe had always been (as her former fiancé put it) refreshingly forward. She had never fit in with the idea that girls should be seen and not heard, and being the heir to a family name, with no brothers to take that away from her, her father had taught her to step up and take what she wanted no matter who she had to step on to do it. The same, she figured, applied with things as silly as flirting with boys in a bar.

She grabbed the fresh drink from the bar and took a sip, hiding the little grin on her face behind the rim of the cup before she slowly nodded her head. “Lead the way, Rabbit.” The drink was still half full, but she left the glass sitting on the bar as she wave an arm for him and headed for the door, a finger playfully hooking in the belt loop of his pants to keep track of him in the crowd.

.

Tilden watched her closely. Every movement had purpose in some subconscious way. He moved through the crowd with a confidence hidden beneath his walls of insecurity. The feeling of a single finger holding onto him was enough to bring that grin a little higher on his lips. 

The cold air was a refreshing feeling on his face, alcohol and flirting causing an awful blush to sit on his fair skin. Running a hand through his hair, Tilden leaned against a nearby alley wall, forcing Dorcas to be just as close as they were in the bar, although the lack of people made it suddenly more intimate. “My night is going a little different to how I thought it would,” His tone now lower, silence in the privacy of night allowing him to speak rather than shout over the white noise of people. He liked it this way, private, intimate, and where his voice was much more enjoyable even to his own ears.