tiberiusxmclaggen

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius couldn't help the laugh that fell from his lips as she informed him that she'd be asking out his wife, amusement written across his features. "By all means, please do. I'd almost pay to see the look on her face if you were to inform her I gave you permission to ask her out." He had no doubt it would be comical. He arched an eyebrow before giving an understanding nod, taking another drink from his glass. "Ah so just not friends that your family would approve of, not respectable enough are they?" If that was what her family was looking for then Tiberius certainly wouldn't have fit the bill. "I wouldn't say it's weird, maybe it's a chance for you to find more friends?"

"Well, very lucky guy, I'm gonna ask your wife out." The witch mused with an amused grin, teasing him obviously, but actually kind of interested in seeing how she'd get along with Cressida now that she'd switched sides. "Ah, that's a tricky one to reply to." Charity was quick to say at his question, she didn't really have an aswer for it, other than the fact she didn't have many friends or ones her grandparents would care for. Sure they knew all about Caellum and Nick, both pureblood and respected enough, but also both all too close to her to pay her grandparents the respect they thought they deserve. "Let's say I don't have the kind of friends they'd like for me to have, and honestly I don't have many other friends either. Apparently I'm weird enough to ask someone I don't know to pretend to be my friend, huh?"

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius nodded in understanding, quiet as he listened to her explain how she was feeling. He knew he could do better, be better. He just let himself get wrapped up in his work easily, and with the world in such turmoil it was easy to forget everything outside the piles of paperwork always threatening to overwhelm him. He chuckled and smiled softly at her. "Well I'd rather we didn't live in a box, I'd like to keep the roof over our head." He teased, trying to lighten the mood. "You don't have to ask permission to work Cressida, if that's what you want to do then you know I'll encourage you." He slid a hand around her waist, pulling her close and pressing a kiss to her lips. "We'll find the balance, and I promise to stop letting work overwhelm everything else."

“I do understand that, I truly do,” Cressida really did understand why he wanted that. She came from the world where it was the norm. But the most important thing for her - the thing he could provide her with the most - was just his presence. “Us living comfortably does also mean that our home situation is a good one. And the best thing you can provide me with, is your presence. I love your presence around me, you calm me and you ground me. That is so much more worth to me than money or living comfortably. I could live in a box with you and be happy.” Okay, that last bit was maybe a bit too much but it would get the point across for sure. Or at least, she hoped so. “I will try to be more accepting. Because I am grateful for all the work you do every day,” she said to him, a small smile appearing on her lips as well. It was going to be a balancing game for the both of them in the end. “But, am I allowed to apply for the job as a Welcome Witch at St. Mungos? That way I won’t be sitting here on my own as well, I need a new social circle too.”

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

For me, it's all about using clean ingredients, eating healthy, bringing people together, and making great memories.

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm hoping the two of us never leave the honeymoon phase. I intend to make her incredibly happy, every day." After all she'd sacrificed to be with him he was determined to do anything and everything to make her happy, to give her the life she deserved. Which seemingly had become part of the issue in the last few weeks. He nodded at the suggestion, brightening at the idea of getting a league together and playing quidditch again, even if it was just for fun. "I think it's a brilliant idea, I'm sure there are plenty who'd be interested in playing. Even if the games are just for bragging rights." He nudged his friend. "Reckon we can take the lot of them."

His grin broadened as he watched his friend actually blush, pleased to see him look so happy. Anthony deserved to be happy, he only hoped this girl treated him right. He scoffed, putting a wounded hand to his heart. "Scared her off? What have you been telling her about me?" He shook his head, the shock turning into a broad smile as he slapped Anthony good naturedly on the back. "Seriously mate, I'm happy for you. I hope she treats you the way you deserve. But we should absolutely have a date night. Or the two of you could come over to the house, either way let's make it happen. I need to meet this girl."

"I think I could convince her, " Anthony mused, "Or perhaps we leave it a few months until you both are out of the honeymoon phase." He jested, raising an eyebrow. Well aware that Tiberius and Cressida were probably making the most out of not having to sneak around. "We could get an league going, perhaps." It would be lovely to set up a league with his best mate, they were both good quidditch players, and it would provide a bit of an outlet into the sport that the two men once loved. "There's plenty our age who loved Quidditch, perhaps not enough to go professional, but recreationally, why not?" He suggested, perhaps selfishly for himself.

At Tiberius' shock, Anthony chuckled. Feeling a slight tinge of redness flood to his cheeks. "Look, mate, I was as shocked as you." In all honesty, Anthony was only starting to believe that the rug wasn't going to get pulled from beneath him. "I didn't want to get too comfortable, it was early days." He explained, "Double dates can happen, I reckon." Anthony shrugged, that seemed fair, "At the beginning, I think your stories may have scared her off."

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

To Tiberius, he had done nothing to warrant any sort of awe, he'd merely loved a woman who was expected to marry a pureblood. Cressida had been the one brave enough to make the jump with him, to choose him over her family's ideals, he'd forever admire her for that. He chuckled at her choice of words. "Yes I'm that guy, that very lucky guy." He mused with a smile, taking another swig of his drink. He waved her off, shaking his head. "You don't need my permission." Nor did Cressida, as long as she was happy that was all that mattered to him at the end of the day. "Pleasure Charity. But tell me, why does your family believe you have no friends?" He couldn't help the amusement in his voice.

Taking the glass to her lips, the witch's brows raised in awe at his words, nodding her head slowly as she put down the drink. "You're that guy, the one Cressida married. I wouldn't want to piss her off either." Charity said with quite the emphasis, a knowing grin barely showing on her lips. "She would indeed do the trick, a lovely friend for me to have. I shall ask her, with your permission." She offered, waiting for the go-ahead. "I'm Charity Burbage, the pleasure's all mine."

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius scoffed, putting a hand to his heart as he feigned being wounded. "And here I am encouraging you and talking you up. Some friend you are!" Still he dropped his hand, an amused smile returning to his lips. "But speaking of taste, I should probably get home to Cress. We've got dinner planned. Speaking of, you should come by sometime and join us. Would love to have you." He clapped his hand on Gideon's back. "I'll see you around yea?"

"There is no accounting for taste, I'm afraid." He joked. Gideon was happy for Tiberius and Cressida, they were well matched and in the end true love had prevailed. Stories like theirs were rare nowadays. Although he had heard rumors about other pureblood women leaving their families, not all stories ended in a positive manner. The men they were leaving behind were death eaters after all. Hopefully Tib's love story would be more like Ted and Andromeda's, a relationship he looked up to.

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius chuckled, nodding in agreement. "I'm not trying to piss off my wife either." He was pretty sure he'd done enough of that of recent, too busy working to be at home with her. "Cressida, McLaggen now, formerly Malfoy." He'd be surprised if she hadn't heard of her, he still felt rage every time he thought of the article that had been written about her. "As I've said, she can charm anyone. I'm Tiberius by the way, not sure I even bothered to introduce myself."

“To each their own, not trying to piss anyone’s wives for that matter.” Charity decided, gesturing for the barmaid to bring her another drink, her eyes then scanning the wizard’s features. “Who are you married to then? I shall take what I can get, not peculiarly pretentious, you see.”

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius chuckled and shook his head. “Perhaps if I have you also try to convince her it may go over better.” It would be good to be back to the skies to play, even if it was only for a few hours once a week. Plus it would be good to spend more time with his friend, they didn’t see each other nearly as often as he wished they were able to. His life had been nothing but work and spending time at home with Cressida as of late.

He made a sound of shock, feigned outrage on his features as he turned to glare at his friend. “Before Christmas?” There was disbelief in his voice. “You’ve been seeing her since before Christmas and couldn’t be bothered to tell me?” He scoffed. “Well now I’m wounded that you didn’t tell me sooner. We could have been going on double dates or something!”

Anthony was pleased with his performance in the air, it wasn't spectacular but it was progress from where he was years ago, barely able to look at a broom without an ache in his chest. "Oh, don't flatter yourself..I'm sure Cressida would be glad to get rid of you for a few hours." Anthony teased, his tone jolly, and wholly innocent. Just jesting between two good friends.

At Tiberius' shock, Anthony rolled his eyes, although he was unable to keep the smile etched off his face. "Mira Selwyn and I are seeing each other," Anthony explained, "since before Christmas. " He further added, knowing his friend would be dismayed at being kept in the dark for so long. "It's going well, really well."

"I'm sure marriage is a huge adjustment," Anthony reassured, "You both are probably finding your footing. Things being a bit unsteady doesn't mean you are failing, Tib, you and Cressida are the strongest couple I know."

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

“Gossip and whatever it entails. Writing salacious stories, listening in on others gossip, asking others and getting whatever information you can out of them. Making the stories more salacious and outrageous than is necessary.” Tiberius shrugged. “Though I’m sure you don’t see it that way. I’m sure you simply see it as doing your job. No harm no foul.”

He ground his teeth together as Rita assured him that everyone knew Cressida’s name, fighting his irritation though it showed in every line of his face. “No I’m sure I don’t.” He agreed, his voice on edge. “Oh I’m sure you’d love that wouldn’t you, me confronting the Malfoys about the entire situation.” And he would too, he had plenty of things he’d like to say to them about their beliefs and their decisions. Still the wizard shook his head. “As much as I hate to disappoint you, I won’t though. They don’t deserve any more time or energy and Cressida deserves better than them.”

“I am rather curious, yes. Why don’t you humor me on exactly what it is you think I do or don’t do!” Honestly, she couldn’t be bothered much with what people thought of her unless she actually cared about them but there was a certain flair of entertainment with this one. An ego bruised, but not his own no. And with each word that became clearer, more evident as time passed.

“I’m aware of her name. No, actually, everyone is aware of her name. Even those that may have lived under a rock or swam with the merfolk now know her name.” In part due to her doing, in far more devastating parts due to a gossip column she had, in this instance, motivated just a little bit. Sometimes people just needed a little push. Rita chuckled. “Oh, you don’t want the answer to that.” Silk sheets, happy as day. A shrug. “Look, what do you want me to tell you? You live in a world where people care about these things and the papers report on it. If you want to complain, take it up with the Malfoys. I don’t recommend it, though.” A simple bit of advice, thrown in with the reality of their world. Rita believed in these things, but as far as the Prophet was concerned, the blonde was simply doing her job. The rest was for others to guess and for her to know. - @tiberiusxmclaggen

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius took a step back, a frown on his lips as he gave her a moment, though he didn’t go far. His heart clenched at her words and he nodded. “That’s awful, that poor girl. But I’m also sorry you had to be there to witness it Alice.” Frank had told him that she was pregnant, this situation couldn’t have been good for her. “I’m sure we’ll be able to find her a good loving home.” He assured her softly, just hoping to make her feel better.

She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself and steady her erratic heartbeat. Alice was grateful that it was Tiberius that had happened upon her, someone she trusted. She took the tissue, thanking him as she dabbed her eyes. "There's nothing you can do. That's the problem. If there was something to be done, we would do it. But it is too late." If only they could help this little girl, but they were unable to turn back time.

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius smiled and shook his head, slapping Anthony gently on the back. "Mate you've never lost your groove. But it's good to see you enjoying it again." He chuckled as he suggested he join him for the amateur team. "As fantastic as that sounds I may need to run it by Cress first. Married life, still trying to remember that I've got to run things by her first."

His eyes widened, his grin growing at the statement. "Wait you're dating someone? And I'm just now finding out? What the hell Abbott, come on, now you know I need more than that." He was glad to see his friend smiling, to see him looking so happy. "It's good, we're working on it. I uh...apparently work too much. I'm trying to find that balance of working to support a good life for Cress and I, and being home to spend time with her. I sometimes think I'm failing at it.."

"If I have to say it, I think I've got my groove back." Anthony chuckled leaning back against the bleachers, "Perhaps not enough to return to the Bats, I think I'm far too tired for that." He pointed out, "But to join one of those 27-40 amateur teams, definitely. Care to join me?"

"Things have been going well, work's been going well and I've kind of been seeing somebody. " Anthony smiled, coyly. He hadn't yet told Tiberius about his relationship with Mira Selwyn, but he was sure that a few things wouldn't hurt. "How are you? How is married life treating you?"

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius rubbed her back gently as she started crying more, trying to soothe her as best he could. They were friends, he would always be there for her and Frank. He pulled back and offered her a tissue, his face falling as she explained what had happened. "Fuck...I'm so sorry Alice." He muttered, shaking his head. "What can I do? How can I help?" In moments like these it all felt so hopeless, like nothing was good enough and he hated it.

"I had a hard case today." She swallowed trying to brush the tears away with her hand but they only started falling once more when he pulled her into a hug. This whole day ahd been emotionally and physically draining and the pregnancy had only heightened her emotions. "There was an attack on a family. Only their little girl survived. It was heartbreaking."

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius arched an eyebrow at the question. "Do you truly want me to answer that?" He was pretty sure the witch already knew his answer to that. He imagined that was exactly what she did, flitting around listening in on conversations and gleaning details wherever she could to make a story. He couldn't understand what kind of person could enjoy doing that work. It left a bad taste in his mouth. He made a sound of disgust at the way she spoke about Cressida. "She has a name. Cressida." He reminded her, trying as best he could to fight his rising annoyance. "What has my mood twisted in this warped view some of you seem to have that because a witch like her decided to marry a man like me it makes her any less of an amazing woman. Where do any of you get off?" It was rare he got angry, but when it came to Cressida he would always defend her.

The very moment her eyes met his did the recognition set in, a nod following along with his words. No, she couldn't really blame him. The wizard in front of her had taken plenty a hit, but somehow she had a feeling it wasn't his ego that had gotten bruised and thus was not the focus of his anger. The witch recalled him, just a year difference; a year and so much more that had separated. "Tiberius." Or did he prefer McLaggen? It didn't matter either way.

"Is that what you think I do? Thrive off of crowds and their little bits of gossip?" Rita had bigger fish to fry in that regard. Not that she wouldn't occasionally allow herself to listen to the world around herself. Life happened that way for everyone. "So, what has got your mood twisted?" The blonde's head moved, tilted to the side as she scanned him. Her thoughts were whirling. There was plenty she had done; plenty she'd written. "Let me guess. The article about the Malfoys and their formerly precious gem." Rita hummed. She'd only worked on the exposé, or article. The gossip column in question for once had gone to someone else. Not that it hadn't been done with her influence. Rita was smart enough to cover tracks when needed. "Was it not flattering enough? I'm sorry if the truth is too harsh. Was only doing my job." - @tiberiusxmclaggen

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius chuckled and shook his head, popping another chip into his mouth and chewing as he listened to her. "Again, I don't think my wife would be happy. Especially when I'm meant to be spending the evening with her. Though maybe you could talk her into joining you? I'm pretty sure she can charm anyone, she'd certainly do a better job of it then I would."

A chuckle went past her lips, crossing her legs and taking the glass to her lips for a good sip. “Oh darling, I’m not looking for a hot date kind of date, even if you look it.” The witch explained, leaning forward the slightest bit. “Wives get mad either way, but I was asking for a friend. Apparently I don’t have those and I should. Think that would be possible, maybe?”

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius enjoyed going out to the stadium when he had the free time. If not to play and get back on his broom, then to watch the others as they trained or played. It made him reminisce on his Hogwarts days, how much he missed playing himself. Besides it was a nice distraction from the world around him, a place to find some peace and enjoyment. He was surprised to find Anthony out on the pitch, he hadn't seen his friend in a while and he knew he'd been busy with work.

He moved to sit on one of the stands, watching his friend with a smile on his face. As he landed he applauded and moved down closer to join him. "Still looking good out there man." He clapped his back in greeting as he dropped into the seat next to him. "How've you been Anthony? It's been a while."

Where : Quidditch Stadium

Who: anyone

There had been a tournament in Scotland, a few friendlies between teams but work required him to go up and stay for a few days. It was hard, being surrounded by quidditch for days on end knowing that he would never play professionally again.

In a bout of curiosity upon returning home, Anthony Abbott booked a slot for recreational play at his local stadium. Just to see what he could do, to saddle up on the broom once again, a feat he had only managed to do twice since his accident.

He was glad that the stadium was somewhat empty, with only a children’s team practicing in the far end of the pitch. It felt electric being up in the air, sure his speed wasn’t as it once was but it didn’t go terrible. Returning back to land, Anthony immediately felt a pang of longing for his former career back. Sitting on a bench, slinging a towel over his shoulder, Anthony’s eyes fell on another person moving to sit on the bleachers.

“Nice day out for a match, isn’t it? It’s weather like this that makes me miss the league.”

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius was already eager for the day to be over, then again mornings were always brutal, and he was exhausted. He lugged the box of paperwork in both hands, shifting as he waited for the lift to arrive, letting out a sigh of relief as it did and he stepped inside. He glanced up at James and chuckled, leaning back against the wall. "I'd like to think they're slim to none, surely the ministry has something in place to prevent that from happening." He mused. "Alright James?"

Where: Ministry Status: Open

James was late. But that wasn't new. What was new was he felt good in the new suit he got to woe and impress Frank Longbottom who was slowly but surely becoming his mortal enemy. He knew that the new attire wouldn't have much of an impression if he wasn't punctual, something he was actively trying to change. James watched the lift rise to more levels only to stop and for every floor, he tried to think of another reason for why he was late. The door opened again and he leaned against the back of the elevator to make room, raising his head to see the new addition. Although it wasn't small talk, he tried. "So, what do you think the odds are of, you know, the elevator falling?"