watch the sun rise

“Sleep like the dead is a good way to describe,” she mused with a small smile. Lottie nodded at the question, “Mr. Potter’s youngest son. We were close in school and e kinda just waltzed back into my life I guess. It’s nothin’ really serious right now, but…” Lottie shrugged and went to go pour herself some more coffee, giving her another smile. “He’d like that, too. Refill?”

She smiled, “Okay, yeah, it’s a tad morbid, but it’s cute.” She grinned, nodding furiously at the offer for more coffee. She spoke as she held her cup out, “And are we... happy about this waltz in? Also - and I apologize for not asking this sooner - but how are we feeling about this new... occurrence?” 

“One of many reasons, I would hope,” she gave her a smile. Lottie sat on the edge of their kitchen table. “Same as we always do, but I made the cream specifically for the bakery, so I brought some back. I’ll take that reaction as a not-fail.” Lottie smirked. “But yeah, it wasn’t that fun, you know I’m not a big party person though.” She shrugged, “Me and Albus actually left early and came back here for tea. I’m surprised you didn’t wake up. He’s not exactly the quietest talker in the world.”

She waved a hand, “Of course, love, one of the many, many, many reasons.” She nodded and hummed into the coffee, “Totally a not-fail. A pretty hard pass - in the good way.” She held a thumbs up and took another sip.

“I wasn’t gonna shame you, honey.” Lottie smirked and walked over to the table, handing her roommate one of the coffees she was holding. “You didn’t miss much.”

Deet grinned, “And that is why I love you!” She took the coffee happily and took a sip, “That’s real good stuff. What kind of beans do you buy?” She raised an eyebrow, “Awe, I miss the party and nothing good even happens for me to hear about? I was expecting wild tales and to live vicariously through you!” 

“There will be no shaming you here, in fact, I am actually a little jealous of your decision. I think I would have preferred doing that than the party, they aren’t exactly my scene either. Not that it ever stops me. What did you do at home?”

Deet smiled, “Oh yeah? Well if I had known that, maybe I could have made room for one more.” Deethra giggled, “Nah, never liked ‘em myself. Any reason you still went?” She hummed, “Honestly? I played some video games. Exciting, right?”

“I should have done the same thing,” he said. “I couldn’t even move the next day because I thought drinking was a good idea. In theory, I thought it would get rid of my anxiety, but then….the night got away from me.”

Deethra laughed and smiled at Nikolai, but it dropped as his tone was more serious. “Oh, I’m sorry for laughing, darlin, I had no idea the story had more to it than a bad hangover. Everything... okay?”

“Yeah – Daddy’s been buggin’ me about coming for a visit,” Lottie hummed, sitting on the edge of the table. She scrunched her nose, but laughed, “Airboating on a swamp? Merlin. Fine. But if I see any creepy crawly things – or heaven forbid, a gator – I’m out.” Lottie smiled and hopped up to fetch the box in question. “Don’t worry about it, honey. I’m just glad we’re finally movin’ in with each other.”

She raised an eyebrow at her friend and shook her head, “What’s wrong with you? I mean, what the hell is the point of an airboat ride if you don’t see a gator.” Deet giggled, “Me too, me too. Though I have to admit, I don’t like the cold up here much. How do you deal with it every day? And does winter get much worse?”

Alpheus nodded, making a slight ah sound as she explained. “An apothecary? How interesting, I hope business is well. How long have you been operating in London?” He asked curiously, silently quite impressed at her proficiency with french, since most of the people he’d met during his time in Louisiana spoke what seemed like broken french to him, but to everyone else there hi french was far too posh and proper.

“We’re fairly new, I’ve been open here for about a month. I had run a similar shop in New Orleans for just over a year.” She left out the details about being run out of town. Deet smiled, “We’re doing particularly well in Paris, especially on our less medical, more interesting potions and balms. So much so that I’m planning to expand, actually, if business goes as well as it is. Seems people are quite taken with some of the novelty, more Cajun-inspired wares.”

He laughed and nodded at the question, “Always.” Phoenix smiled when she agreed and offered his arm to her, leading her down the street. “Well, then you’re in luck. This is the only one that I frequent, which is saying something. I can be a coffee snob.” Phoenix walked with her, resuming their conversation. “It wasn’t that bad living at two places, really. But I stayed with my father in Italy more. He was already two wives past my maman when I was born, so I’m used to the back and forth,” he gave her a small smirk as he opened the door for her. “I’m assuming you went to Ilvermorny, yeah? How’s it over there?”

“I think I’m the opposite of a coffee snob. I could take a cup of coffee anyway - cream, sugar, black, whatever.” She smiled, “Sounds like a lot of activity, I might even say it sounds fun.” She raised an eyebrow but held her tongue at the comment about his father. “Oh, I see.” She was glad for the subject change, “Absolutely! I’m a proud Pukwudgie. Ilvermony was a lot different from Hogwarts, or so I’ve heard anyway. Especially our History of Magic. We really focused on the history of magic in the states, which was a little less, er, happy that that of y’alls copy. At least the little bit that I browsed.”

She pursed her lips into a pout. “I miss that. I was thinkin’ of going home over the summer. You should tag along and we should go.” Lottie smiled and carefully hopped down from the chair, nodding when Deet put the plant into the mug. “See? My grand-mama gave me a whole set of these mugs when I bought my own place. I don’t use them, so we should just make them super cute, Pinterest-worthy plant holders.” She gave her the other mug. “There’s a box still needing to be moved in, right? I can get it for you.”

Deet smiled, “I think I would like that. I got a few people I’d need to, erm, avoid but other than that... I would love to see my Gran again.” She grinned, “And I need a few things from the swamp anyway. Full disclosure, I might try to talk you into an airboat ride.” She giggled, “Pinterest worthy plant holders is right up my alley. I think that would be a great night, paired with some wine, a fantastic night.” She nodded, “Sure. You spoil me rotten, you know that?”

“Honey, you’ve got a big storm coming and it’s name is Morgan.” He wiggled hi eye brows a little, finishing off the kiss of her hand with a curtsy and flourishing of his wrist. “My mam raised me right don’t you worry.” He nodded in agreement. “If that’s your wish but you shouldn’t make that choice on other people, it’s annoying that people can’t but we should be trying our best to get better not you having to make our lives easier.” He shrugged softly before laughing in her face. “Ooh sweetie, I’m Irish. You Americans wish you could drink like us.”

“Oh, I’ll believe it when I see it, darlin’.” She giggled, covering her mouth as she laughed, “Well good on her. Some boys act like a bunch of clowns and it get’s old real quick.” She raised an eyebrow, “Well put. Then call me Deet entirely because I want it. It’s what my Gran calls me, and I miss her a lot.” She folded her arms over her chest and grinned widely, “You know, to me that sounds an awful lot like a challenge. Loser buys.”

“Imagine having a business in just bringing plants back to life? Is that a thing? Should we make a side business?” he mused with a grin. He nodded, “Of course. Erm, I won’t be any good, but I can try.”

She chuckled, “I think I don’t want your Ministry giving me crap about bringing strange magic from the United States, thanks for the offer though.” She shrugged, “Not to worry, I won’t make you do anything like that. Not in your wheelhouse, I’m guessing?”

“And your life will never be the same.” Morgan took her hand and in his usual over the top style leaned down to kiss it dramatically. “Enchanté Deethra. Which do you prefer, it’s your name after all. I’m Morgan, the man of mystery, worrying levels of alcohol consumption and drama.”

She gave the man a toothy grin, “Oh, is that true? Well then, I welcome this new chapter with open arms.” Deet giggled as Morgan kissed her hand. “Such a gentleman. Grandma would be proud.” Deet hummed, “Deet is fine, Deethra is sort of hard to say for some folks.” She raised an eyebrow, “Worrying levels of alcohol, huh? I’m from New Orleans, darlin’, and I’ve been looking for a drinkin’ partner who can keep up.”