freeze your brain

Tobe had been fighting with himself internally all night. Because he’d noticed as soon as Albus walked in - which bothered him immensely - and even though his strategy since whatever they had been doing had abruptly ended had been avoid at all costs, his first instinct had been to talk to him to see if he was doing okay. He’d been telling himself that Albus was used to his family being in the news and that Tobe bothering him would probably just make him feel worse. But here he was, his feet going in that direction even though everything in his head told him not to. When he found himself in front of Albus though, suddenly his head was empty, and he didn’t know what to say. “Fuck, I don’t think I’m drunk enough for this yet.”

@albuspvtter·

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Albus was meandering around the reception area, a drink in his hand. He’d been away for way too long, it felt nice to be around people that he grew up with and ones that he had gotten close with. He straightened his suit as he simply people watched. Seeing everyone mingling without him made him realize that maybe he didn’t have to run anymore. He couldn’t help but blink when Tobe’s familiar frame came into sight. He felt his stomach tighten. Before Al left, seeing the other boy his nerves go haywire...he knew why but he didn’t want to face it. The curly haired boy licked his lips, a small smile gracing his lips. “Is that your way of asking for a drink? Er, I could get you one if you’d like.” 

Ever since he’d watched his dad be taken for investigation, it had felt like a storm was brewing in Tobe’s life. He’d always just kind of gone along with what his parents told him, he didn’t care much about the ideology. The answer to were muggles inferior depended on how much money and power they had just like pure bloods. He’d gotten his dark mark mostly to keep his parents happy and now was the time, he felt like a pendulum not sure which way to swing. And here was another thunder crash in the storm knocking on his door. He opened it, he’d considered calling but he had been avoiding because in every version of this conversation he’d played out in his head it never went well. This was Harry Potter’s son. And his father had basically just been outed as  a death eater. “Hey. I meant to call but…” He made some vague hand gesture with one hand and pushed the door open with the other. “Come on in.”

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Albus shrugged at the other boys words, “You’re good,” he said before walking inside. “Thanks,” he said. The curly haired boy took his jacket off, putting it where he normally did before slipping off his shoes as well. He ran his hands through his curls, not knowing what to do with them. He wanted to reach out to touch Tobias, but was worried if that would be crossing a line. Albus bit down on his bottom lip, would Tobias even accept comfort from him? They were just fuck buddies after all. “I guess I just wanted to check in with you...you know since I haven’t heard from you in a while. You okay?”

“Freeze.” Ginny held her wand up and actually froze whoever was walking behind her into her house. “What do you want?” She called in a sing song voice while she finished what she was doing.

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Albus cursed quietly, freezing when his mother held up her wand. “Can’t a boy visit his family? And possibly get some leftovers...”

» tagged: open

♕ —- “So this directory is entirely unhelpful,” Ana mumbled mostly to herself and she ran her fingers through her curls. “Where’s the muggle liaison offices?”

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Albus was fucking around, per usual, when he heard the other mutter to herself. “Yo,” he greeted with a grin. “I could show you if you want.”

“I’m a teacher, my body clock is trained. It’s not my fault.” Tobe complained, throwing the blanket off him and onto Albus. “Do you have anything edible here?”

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Albus made a sound when he felt the lump over a blanket hit him. He pushed it off and sat up, no doubt his curls were bouncing everywhere. “Hmm, I think I can put something together with what I have,” he said after stretching. “I mean, someone needs to take care of you, right?”

“How would you even know if it’s the right thing?” Hugo countered as he threw the baby wrap at his cousin. “You wrap this around yourself, put the kid inside and it’s cute and cosy, and strengthens your relationship,” he mused. “Just be glad it’s not a breast pump, I’m sure that would have traumatised you,” he added with an overly sweet smile.

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“I have a younger sister, you know,” he said. Albus raised an eyebrow after catching the wrap that Hugo threw at him. He held it up as he peered at it, “It looks like a scarf. Are you sure we didn’t buy a scarf on accident?” he mused, throwing it back in the bag. Albus laughed, “I’m not a gay that gets horrified at anything a woman does, y’know.”

“Yeah. Cool. Just walk in. Good morning to you, too.” Harry watched his youngest son rummage through the fridge for a moment, before he rolled his eyes. He started the coffee pot and slid his glasses back on, resuming the scroll through his emails. Harry opened his mouth, about to comment on the apartment situation, but Al’s question stopped him. “Yes. And the kid is your niece. Not a Hungarian Horntail. But backtrack. What’s wrong with your place?”

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“Don’t tell me I’m supposed to knock or something,” he complained, grabbing some left overs out the fridge. He placed them on the table before making a face, “Eh, I’ve babysat her before, she’s definitely a Hungarian Horntail. Especially when you don’t give her her favorite snack,” he said. Albus let out a sigh, “My heat’s broken at the moment,” he said. “So, can I stay here until it’s fixed? You didn’t turn my room into a gym, right?”

Phoenix let out a huff of breath, staring blankly at the other man. “Wow. New record, Potter. Only took you three seconds to remind me who your father is, completely unsolicited by me.” He gestured towards the door he had been walking towards. “That’s why I was walking out, yes. You need something?”

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The younger boy laughed, “Well, I live to impress you,” he said with a grin. He hummed, shaking his head. “Nah, not really. Can I join you? Let’s get a drink or something.”

“I don’t make it a habit to ask my patrons who they’re buying potions for. That would encourage chitchat.” Wynn answered with an amused smile, tapping her toes together in front of her. “Though if they did, I can’t wait to see you as an absolute wreck. I am, of course, extremely skilled and thus those potions are strong.” She waggled her eyebrows at that, tone obviously teasing.

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A smirk spread across Al’s lips. “Now when you say ‘wreck,’ what do you mean by that?” he mused. “Because I’m sure you don’t need a love potion to mess me up that way,” he said with a grin. “We could both use our skills for that, Wynn.”

Cambry laughed at his remark. “I’m glad you got some free stuff. Last time I pulled the Skeeter card I got kicked out of a Quidditch game.” They shook their head. “So how’s life, Potter?”

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Albus let out an amused snort, “No way. Did they think you were going to stalk the players to get an exposé or something?” he mused. He hummed, shrugging one shoulder. “I can’t really complain. I’ve been getting more work, spending time with my family and all that jazz. Not much drama to report. What about you, Skeeter?”

“Yo, Zabini,” he greeted with a wave and a grin. “Long time, no see,” he said as he caught up to the other boy. “Don’t ask what I’m doing here, you know I’m the only journalist allowed at the Ministry without getting chewed out by Aurors,” he said with a cheeky grin. “You on your way out?”

“Wait, they said what to you?” Cambry said with a tone of disbelief. “Do you want me to take care of it?”

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Albus shrugged, “Eh, it’s nothing I haven’t heard before,” he said. “But at the moment, I was like, ‘what the fuck? don’t you know who I am?’” The curly haired boy let out a chuckle. “I never had to drop the Potter last name like that before, but it was worth it and I got some shit for free.”

He huffed dramatically, “Of course I’m a diva, it would be an insult to suggest otherwise. It’s part of my charm.” Tobe pretended to think it over. “Well, I guess I could live with that.” He yawned. “So, since I stayed over does that mean you’re making me breakfast, that’s how this goes, right?” He asked, teasingly. “Because I think I definitely earned some food.”

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“Your goddam charm, alright,” he said, grinning. Albus hummed before burying his face back into his pillow. “Can’t we go back to sleep? Why do you wake up so early anyways?”