#𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: knockturn alley !

[woesbegone]

𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽  :  knockturn alley  !

"keep moving," and though she aims for the sort of aggression that would discourage any further questions, luca cuts such a pathetic image that her tone would be easily ignored. she's been in worse situations. it's difficult to remember that, right about now, but she really has been. the towel wrapped around her body is secure, her wet hair is clipped out of her face and her shoes, though untied, are sturdy enough. she's out of the main traffic area, round the back of borgin & burkes, her luck run out on her way back in from throwing out a bag of rubbish that she was now wishing she'd just left 'til later - she hadn't meant for the door to lock behind her, and hadn't brought her wand in case it did. it could be ten times worse, though it still felt awful. cheeks blazing red, she stays staring at the door as if she might be able to burn a hole through it, resolutely refusing to even look at her audience as she says, "please. keep moving."

[monstrovs]

𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙿𝚃  :  you know you aren’t allowed in here, right  ? 𝚁𝙴𝚀𝚄𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙳 𝙱𝚈  :  @executiioners​  ! 𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽  :  borgin & burkes, knockturn alley  !

eyebrows raise in an unspoken hm, really? but predictably, niko doesn’t much care about it being past closing time. the shopkeeper hadn’t forgotten to turn around the sign and he had definitely read it, but certain rules didn’t really apply to him - and when it came to ezekiel burke’s place of business, the only person who could tell him what to do was him. it didn’t really matter that ian was familiar enough to him as one of the borgin owners ; he knew old garold more to see him, and didn’t consider either of much importance. ignoring the question put to him he simply asks, “ezekiel ?” 

[rebiirths]

the  bell  above  the  door  chimes  for  the  first  time  that  morning  and  already,  the  temptation  to  tear  it  down  grinds  every  gear  in  her  body.  somebody  woke  up  on  the  wrong  side  of  the  bed  this  morning,  permanently  sour  mood  even  more  bitter  than  usual  since  recent  events.  the  only  thing  that  halts  bite  is  her  genuine  surprise  when  eyes  snap  up  to  see  harry  of  all  people  standing  there,  asking  for  a  manager.  it  takes  a  beat  to  process  and  then?    ⸻    another  beat  to  really  believe.  gaze  drifts  slowly  from  him  to  the  dark,  almost  -  eerie  surroundings  of  tattoo  parlour;    the  spilled  ink  on  the  floor  nobody  had  bothered  to  clean  up    /    the  crack  in  the  wall  that  crept  up  towards  her  apartment.  the  art  displays  on  the  wall  were  impressive,  sure,  but  a  questionable  smudge  of  something  red  across  one  somewhat  distracts.    "    but    …    "    features  scrunch  into  a  combination  of  confusion    &    disgust,  attention  returning  to  him.    "    why?    "    the  level  of  bemusement  in  lavender’s  voice  is  almost  entertaining,  as  if  the  very  thought  of  somebody  wanting  to  work  here  was  incomprehensible,  despite  her  own  employment.  surely  the  chosen  one  they  fought  for  and  celebrated  had  higher  aspirations.  she  relents  eventually,  head  shaking  off  initial  scepticism.    "    i  guess  stranger  things  have  happened..  gimmie,  i’ll  pass  it  onto  markus  later.    "    fingers  click  while  hand  extends,  not  -  so  -  silently  demanding  the  resume.    "    if  you  tell  me  how  pretty  i  look  today,  i  might  even  put  in  a  good  word  for  you  too.    "

he really does try his best to think of a satisfactory answer. a secret, artistic passion / a love of the dark & quaint / the want of a tattoo of his very own, perhaps, and a hope for a staff discount. his relief at being greeted by a familiar face doused, harry racked his brains to think of anything at all that he could say to sell his interest in markus scarrs, anything that didn't amount to admitting his limited skillset and his inability to be picky, and comes up with nothing. without even realising he's doing it, he runs a hand through his messy hair; his shoulders lift in a shrug that doesn't quite sell 'carefree', and his expression turns sheepish. "it is what it is," he tells her, finally, hoping that his overall evasiveness can be read into as charming, knowing it probably won't be. the heavy parchment he had used to copy down his personal information is held out without much ceremony, and harry is halfway through telling her, "thanks, lav-" when the rest of what she has to say sinks in, bringing him to a brief pause before he half gathers his wits, again, "well, i...- you're obviously very- you've always been very pretty, lavender, and i appreciate your help, but-... but you don't have to. really."

[petriichvrs]

𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍:  the white wyvern, knockturn alley  ! 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆:  @lildiggory​​  !

"oi, scoot over-” first, she slides the drinks that she’s returned with onto the permanently sticky table that she and nellie had commandeered earlier that evening, making sure not to spill a single drop ( though she’s not sure that would be such a loss ; they look like two close estimations of the same fruity cocktail she asked for, but ginny’s not ENTIRELY sure the bartender of the wyvern had understood the assignment ). then, she uses her elbow to jostle the other along the unsteady bench until there’s just enough room for her fall down at their side. she makes sure to sit with her whole body twisted in their direction from the outset, all the better to talk shit in hushed tones about the grimy old man she’d encountered at the bar. “don’t look now-” she starts, knowing full well they’re going to take the first opportunity to glance over her shoulder no matter what she says to stop them, “but the guy in the middle - the one with the toupee - has asked me to ask you how we feel about heading back to his place and having ‘a bit of fun’. honestly, i thought he was JOKING...- but he told me to pass on that he’s more than happy to wear the maid costume, if neither of us want to.” 

[ourcboros]

𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍:  the white wyvern, knockturn alley  ! 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆:  @cvriousheart​  !

"two galleons,” nazli shouts at them without preamble, inclining their head towards the stubby boardman wannabe on stage and adding, for clarification, “on him winning.” someone who had staggered into the bathroom they’d taken up haunting earlier in the night had said something about betting on the outcome, and someone else had directed them towards none other than oriana trelawney. it didn’t seem entirely their speed, but naz had been confident enough in approaching them until a long enough beat passes for them to start wondering if they’d been fed false information and with uncharacteristic sheepishness they ask, “you’re taking bets, right?” 

[blvdgers]

𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍:  the  white  wyvern,  knockturn  alley  ! 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆:  @efflcrescent​  !

“  ‘mind  if  i  squeeze  in  here,  mate  ?  “  it’s  hard  to  be  casual  when  the  music  that  he  had  incorrectly  assumed  would  have  been  OVER  by  now  is  still  blaring  loud  enough  that  he’s  forced  to  try  and  shout  over  it,  but  henry  does  his  very  best.  clapping  the  other  on  the  shoulder  as  he  settles  against  the  bar  (  little  regard  given  to  the  stains  his  powder  grey  suit  -  miraculously  unwrinkled  -  is  almost  surely  going  to  pick  up  from  a  far  from  gleaming  countertop  ),  he  flashes  a  toothy  smile  in  ajay’s  direction  and  gestures  towards  the  busy  barman.  “  can  i  get  you  a  top  up  for  your  troubles  ?  “

[hoggleswart]

𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍:   the   white   wyvern,   knockturn   alley. 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄:   a   random   point   in   the   malfoy   manor   ball   evening. 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆:   @unfcttcrcd​​

There’s   an   almost   eerie   silence   lingering   over   the   White   Wyvern   tonight.   Word   of   something   dreadful   happening   at   Diagon   Alley   spreads   like   wildfire   and   part   of   Lavender   wonders   if   the   pub   should   even   still   be   open,   but   since   when   did   business   in   Knockturn   Alley   ever   follow   guidance?      They’ll   simply   dim   the   lights   instead         .   .   .         play   dumb   if   an   Auror   happens   to   pass   by.      She   isn’t   paying   much   attention   regardless            :            tragedy   is   something   their   generation   have   grown   used   to   hearing   about.     (     Possible   murder,   must   be   Tuesday.     )        It’s   all   water   off   a   duck’s   back   these   days         &         she   instead   focuses   on   something   far   more   pressing.            —            The   fact   she’s   missing   out   on   The   Malfoy   Manor   Ball.   Not   just   her   either.      Observant   eyes   are   quick   to   spy   a   face   that’s   only   vaguely   familiar   and   she   sidles   over,      invites   herself   to   sit   at   their   booth   without   actually   asking.                     ‘         Didn’t   score   an   invite   either   then?         ’                     The   girl   doesn’t   specify         :         assumes   he’ll   know.      Such   an   event   is   always   talk   of   the   town   after   all.                     ‘         It’s   not   too   late   to   gatecrash,   y’know         .   .   .         if   you’re   feeling   brave.         ’

[woesbegone]

𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙿𝚃  :  what  are  you  doing  out  here  by  yourself  ? 𝚁𝙴𝚀𝚄𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙳 𝙱𝚈  :  @hoggleswart​​  /  ezekiel  burke  ! 𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽  :  knockturn  alley  !

"  smoke,  ”  comes  unsmiling  reply  ;  luca  holds  her  cigarette  up  a  little  for  him  to  better  see  it  in  the  dark  and  then  immediately  takes  the  last  drag  that  it’ll  allow,  dropping  the  remaining  butt  to  the  dirty  cobble  beneath  their  feet.  it  joins  a  small  collection  from  the  last  hour  or  so  and  continues  to  glow  down  there  until  she  uses  the  toe  of  her  boot  to  stub  it  out.  “  you  want  one  ?  ”  she  reaches  into  her  pocket  and  pulls  out  the  most  recent  box  she’d  purchased,  offering  it  to  him  without  further  preamble.  there’s  only  about  five  left,  hard  to  see  in  the  little  light  offered  by  the  low  hanging  moon,  but  she  doesn’t  care.  “  ‘got  one  of  those  muggle  lighters  here  somewhere,  too,  if  you  need  it.  ”

[monstrovs]

𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍:  the white wyvern, knockturn alley  ! 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆:  @cursedbcnes​​  !

if niko has given anyone the impression of being an overtired father trying desperately to regain control of a long since spiralled situation, at any point tonight, then it’s only because that’s EXACTLY how he’s felt since leaving the opera with susan bones in tow. he had figured ( incorrectly ) that she would be easy to ditch upon arrival at the wyvern and what was more, had somewhat banked on it - his idea of a good night hadn’t included the dawning horror of watching the five foot two junior assistant to the minister of magic downing the line of shots he had kindly provided like they were water, but that was kind of hard to come back from. it was HIS fault they had ended up in this situation, and usually he would be fine cutting his liabilities and disappearing into the night, but he had a funny feeling that anton wouldn’t be best pleased if the last of the bones family turned up dead in a ditch. ergo : “susan,” he says, sternly, grabbing her by the elbow none too gently in an effort to keep her fully upright, flicking the remaining half of his cigarette away into the shadows of the wyverns back alley, “put your shoes on.” 

[petriichvrs]

𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍:  the white wyvern, knockturn alley  ! 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆:  @blondsnake​  !

to make a number of things very clear, from the get go : she wasn’t following him. yes, she had caught herself glancing across to his corner of the wyvern more than ONCE over the course of the evening ( which was very big of her to admit, she felt, when she could have said she was just admiring the scope of the event ) but no, she didn’t care about whatever was going on between him & pansy parkinson. who even cared that she was meant to be engaged ? not her. in fact, ginny would go so far as to say that she didn’t care at all that their few ( now much regrettable ) lapses in judgement had seemingly been forgotten weeks ago, and that she was far better off without having to waste her precious time wondering what EXACTLY had been going on between them, back when something sort of had been. it was obvious, now, that it was nothing. that was fine, and she was really happy to just ignore that he was even present, until ( through no fault of her own ), they actually came face to face.

she didn’t love it, but the truth was that while she really hadn’t been following him, there really wasn’t all that much truth to everything else. and - call it dutch courage running in her veins or, plain & simple, a really bad decision - when the door to the toilet she’d only idly been waiting on opened up to reveal him, ginny didn’t think half as deeply on the choice to jostle him back inside again just as quicly as she absolutely should have. it only takes a matter of seconds to make it in & lock the door again, behind them, but it’s clear how illthought out the whole thing is from the deep breath she takes and impressive buildup she gives only to manage, “hi.” 

[woesbegone]

𝚂𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙴𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝙵𝚁𝙾𝙼 @hoggleswart​​​  »   actually i have heard those things, about a thousand times, but never have they been told to me with so much sass.

"well, i could tell you that it comes naturally-” ( they both know she never had any intention of leaving it at that ), “but then i wouldn’t be giving credit where it’s due to the eighty year old showerhead that tried to crack my fucking skull open last night and didn’t have the decency to finish the damn job. you could say that i’ve had a lot of time to think about what i wanted to say to you this morning between the raging concussion and the non stop gushing of water coming from my bathroom.” she’s usually not so crabby ( pun intended ). really ; if she could survive the crabbe family home with minimal scars - aside from the psychological sort, of course - then she wasn’t going to be easily DEFEATED by this apartment. she likes the space and its proximity to work and she even likes her landlord, well enough. ezekiel doesn’t involve himself much and luca usually appreciates it, but the lump on the top of her head that hasn’t stopped pounding since her unfortunate mid shower mishap has soured her to an unreasonable extent. throw in some self frustration because her own attempts at fixing the problem had only made it worse and you had one pissed off tenant. 

[hoggleswart]

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓 :       my  poor,   brave  baby. 𝐅𝐓. :    @astrcphe​​ 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 :    the  shrieking  shack.

‘     Don’t  patronise  me.     ’     Shoulder  bumps  gently  against  Henri’s,   though  previous  pout  is  slowly  easing  into  a  shadow  of  a  smile  that  some  might  suggest  resembles  affection.   There’s  few  people  in  the  world  Lavender  finds  herself  at  ease  around  these  days;     friends  becoming  strangers,   strangers  becoming  something  else  entirely,   but  HIDDEN  TREASURE  has  been  discovered  in  the  eerie  corners  on  Knockturn  Alley.   New  friendships  for  her  to  value   &   hold  dear.          ‘     I  don’t  think  you’re  fully  grasping  the  trauma  I’ve  been  through  here.   They  literally  asked  me  to  tattoo..     —     I’m  not  even  gonna  repeat  it.   I  know  I’m  right.     ’          Cup  of  Firewhiskey  is  brought  to  lips,   only  to  be  greeted  with  the  bitter  disappointment  that  it’s  empty.          ‘     And  I’m  in  desperate  need  of  another  drink.   Come  with  me?   We  can  do  shots  and  you  can  protect  me  from  any  more  weird  requests.     ’

[woesbegone]

keep moving, charlie does not. he does keep his eyes fixed pointedly to the side after he realizes what it is he has stumbled upon. hector heels by his side but the dog's ears flop as his head tips at the unexpected company on their walk. "do you need a hand?" the door must be locked and from the glimpse of her attire charlie got before tipping his head to look to the side, it seems unlikely she has either key or wand on her person to help resolve the issue. "if the door isn't warded i could get it open for you?"

"no," she tells him, stubbornly, every inch of her - from reddened cheeks right down her bare legs to her untied shoes - screaming the opposite, even as she tried to make herself believe it. she'd made several bad decisions that had led her here, and sending him away now would be another, joining the list, but luca struggled admitting defeat on the best of days. trying to work around the mortification she felt too took a few solid moments of uncomfortable silence, before she managed, quietly, "it's not. warded, i mean."