“School and tryouts.”

“Yeah, that’s no fun. Thankfully I know of some hidden ice cream we can steal.”

“That it does. And what do you need to keep your mind off?” She mused.

“Nothing in particular. What do you have to?”

“What do you mean you’re not a fashion expert? All these years you’ve led me astray.”

Amos laughed. “Oh, yes, my sweaters and corduroys are always fashion forward.”

“Have a look at this list and then please for the love of Godric tell me what to do.”

“Mate,” Amos began after scanning over the list and handing it back to him, “I really don’t think it’s my place to say.”

“Coat, no coat?”

“By now you should probably know I am by no means a fashion expert. It’s a little chilly though, so maybe the coat?”

“You’ll always have my support, but you should know that by now.” She replied with a grin. “Good, I suppose. Busy but good.”

“Busy’s good. Keeps your mind off things,” he smiled, pushing his hands into his pockets and looking out over the party. “I’ve been busy too, I guess.”

“Yeah, c’mon. It’ll be fun.”

“Will it?” He asked, forcing out a bit of a laugh. He wasn’t a fan of lakes but he supposed it was all right for now. “What’s on your mind, Cal?”

“Well, I’ve got me a brilliant girlfriend, and I’m celebrating that recruitment letter, mate,” he said softly not wanting to cause Amos any more dread. True things seemed to be going well in Declans life but his friend, his best friend, not so much. “I am, I’m blooooodddyyyyy sloshed,” he cheersed and took another swig. “Say, we need to get you laid mate,” he nodded looking around for a girl. 

Amos laughed but it came out feeling forced and metallic. He wasn’t one to think of himself— and he wasn’t— but the fact that someone who’d been through as much as he had was achieving more than him hurt somewhere. He shrugged it aside and acted as though it was nothing. “No, I don’t think so,” he laughed again— this time nervously— afraid that his best friend would be setting him up with some girl against his will. 

“Potions is my best class, I’ll do fine.” Riley’s voice was quiet, but there was a small hint of fear. Which you never heard from him, but in all honesty he was scared of what his professor would do if he failed another exam. The blonde listened, nodding his head. “Well thank you for helping. I owe you a drink.”

“Okay,” Amos could hear a small quiver in Riley’s voice but he didn’t bother to point it out.  “You owe me nothing. It didn’t take up much of my time and your happiness is my pleasure,” that sentence was a little forced considering Riley’s face looked anything but happy. “Good luck,” he added, not really sure if that would help.

“Ow.”

“Woah, woah—— what happened?”

“Look, I know I said I would go easy on the drinks, but I have a lot to celebrate!” Declan slurred, “Come, share a pint.”

"I’d rather not,” he laughed, asking the bartender for water before sitting down and leaning in towards Declan. “You’re pretty tipsy, mate. What’s the celebration?” 

“Oh…I was just headed to the lake. It’s a great place to think. You’re welcome to come along if you’d like.”

“The lake? Um... I.... Well, I suppose I can join you.”

Riley accepted the notes, skimming over the first page before going to the second. The saddest part was he happened to be very intelligent, but it was all wasted now because he decided he wasn’t going to pay attention in class. He used to have great marks before he ended up like this. “Thank you, you just saved my ass.” He said truthfully before handing the notes back. “I might manage to pass now.”

“It’s really not that bad,” Amos insisted, thinking desperately what else he could do to help him in the minute before class. “You just have to remember Zymont Budge wrote Book of Potions— that’s the name that always gets me. And then the ingredients to his laughing potion, which is water, alihotsy leaves, laughter, Billywig wings, Knarl quills, Puffskein hair, and horseradish powder,” Amos frowned, “Well... I guess that’s really not that easy, but.”

“I know, I know.” She let out a sigh. “But like I said. You looked really good out there and I was rooting for you.”

“Well, I’m glad I had your support,” he admitted, done with the pity party for now. “So, how’ve you been?”

“Amos, come on.” She placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You did the best you could, I mean you’re not the seeker so what could you have done?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, knowing there really wasn’t much else he could have done. “I guess it’s just... upsetting.”

“True. They played well, I have to admit.”

“I really hope not.” she said while she watched Flynn pull Sirius toward him. As if losing wasn’t enough, there was another loss being shoved in her face. Images of their random get togethers blurred her mind, and it wasn’t until Amos asked her something that she snapped out of it. “Yeah, I’m coming” taking one last look around the party, she stole a bottle of fire whiskey from a table, she walked out of the portal.

Amos followed her gaze knowing something was wrong, but he didn’t want to bring it up until they were on their own. Once he left the party it felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders— he didn’t realize how suffocating socializing in situations like that was. “Now I can actually hear you,” he said, forcing a grin at Lucy.