You're so vain.

“Well, let’s face it. I was too good not to,” she smirked, before wincing at the sudden, dull pain in her shoulder. Cassie rubbed it, “But Merlin, you’d think we’d have it easy since Christmas was like five minutes ago.”

“Well, it’s probably to combat all the christmas goodies the team partook in.” She offered up with a shrug. “Need a salve or anything? I’m pretty stocked up since well... when wizards try and choose their own wands, shit is bound to go down.”

“I hurt in places I shouldn’t,” she groaned, massaging her shoulder. “Remind me why I wanted to play pro again? I should have finished law school.”

“You are doing the lord’s work.” She mused. “Well really, I wasn’t any help with that. I couldn’t play pro and I wanted one of my friends to do it.”

“Hm. More of the wintery colors – white, pale pink, light blue. Not so much Christmas,” she explained. “That way if I forget to take it down into January because of my ridiculous practice schedule, it won’t look like I’m lazy.”

“So I’m hearing blue and white... we will forego the pink because it will make your tree look like it’s announcing the gender of a child.” She said with a laugh. “I think I may have just the items to accomplish this daunting task.”

“You know your quidditch.” Ron said, sounding impressed, “Yes, well some of my family does actually play for various teams, so I try to remain unbiased except when watching them play.”

“Well, once upon a time I wanted to be a quidditch player. Made it a whole year on the school team... and as it goes, an injury ended my career.” She replied dramatically. “That’s fair. There are about a million Potter-Weasleys.”

“If you say so, darling,” she teased. “Alright. Help me find some decorations, then. Maybe it’ll help me get in the Christmas spirit more.”

“Is there a color aesthetic you’re going for or do I have permission just to go all out with anything?”

“Ha ha.” Ron said, rolling his eyes slightly, “No, we don’t have our own football team, and honestly we are more of a quidditch family.”

“The Cannons, right? I feel like I’ve heard at least one of your children talking about them. I’m a Wimbourne Wasps fan myself. Although the Arrows have had a good season.”

“You know, if my mum makes me one more knitted sweater with an R in it, I will have enough to supply an entire muggle football team. You think I should buy my own team?”

“You mean... you don’t already have one? Is that not what the Weasleys do for fun at family gatherings?”

“Fine,” she relented. “But you’re helping me clean up the mess.”

“Oh always. I may make messes but you can at least count on me to help clean them up. It’s why you’re still friends with my ridiculous self.”

“Well, at least I’m pretty so I won’t die a horrible death, ya know?” Hugo grinned.

“Are you pretty? Have you looked in a mirror lately?” She quipped before cocking a brow. “Looks do fade, my dear.”

“Now that I’m almost twenty, do you think I’ll finally get to learn how to read?” Hugo mused as he looked at the other, scrunching his nose up as if he was actually seriously asking them that question.

“No. You’re helpless. Doomed to walk the earth wondering what signs mean.” She mused sardonically. 

She sighed, “All these decorations are so extra.”

“True but I am also extra.” She let out a sigh. “Come on, embrace the extra and live a little.”

She gave her a smile, nudging her shoulder. “Ditch work and come hang out with me and the baby animals one day. Self-care day.”

“I don’t know....” She pretended to think about it. “You twisted my arm. Just give me fifteen minutes to close everything up. Can’t be too careful these days.”

“Listen, Clearwater,” he started. “Something happened in that alley way right next to you and we strongly believe it’s connected to another case. So, do me a favor and tell me something.”

“Alastor, I’m being straight with you for the first time in my life.” She retorted. “You’ve been in the shop, the windows are completely blocked by wands. I mean, I guess I heard a scuffle but it didn’t sound any different from the usual sounds of diagon alley.”

“Did you know that some people think it’s appropriate to put both cheese and curry sauce on chips. There are many things that disgust me but this might be the new top of my list.”

“Now that sounds absolutely dreadful.” She said with a look of disgust on her face. “Oof... just the thought of that sends shivers down my spine.”

Alastor levitated a pen and a pad to take down the person’s statement. “You’re not going to get in trouble. Just tell me what you saw.”

“I think you have me mistaken for someone else.” She cocked a brow. “I didn’t see anything. If I did, I’d have told you... but I didn’t so now I’m a bit confused.”

“Oh, I’m fine, sweetie. Probably, I guess. I appreciate it, though.” She sighed, “I wouldn’t really know where to even begin.” Cali tucked a dark curl behind her ear. “It’s why I don’t pay attention to all of this. Ignorance is bliss. I start worrying way too much.”

She looked at the other girl. “You doing okay?”

“If you say so.” She said with a nod. “Ignorance would be bliss I suppose. As for me, I’m pretty good. Bored out of my mind at work but I suppose I shouldn’t be complaining.”

“A little bit,” she said with a small smile. Cali shrugged, “Not much. It’s been a little slow at the sanctuary, too. But that’s by my own doing. My head hasn’t really been in it.”

“Want to talk about it? I’ve been told I’m a pretty good listener.”