Edgar Bones

Kate Baer, from What Kind of Woman: Poems; “To take back a life”

"Three? Absolutely," she said with a warm smile. Two more flat sheets floated toward her, folding themselves neatly into boxes mid-air. "Were you thinking an assortment of cupcakes? We’ve got red velvet, pumpkin spice, double chocolate, vanilla, and white chocolate." Before Edgar could even answer, she was already filling the first box with practiced ease.

As she placed it on the counter and reached for the next, this one destined for her four varieties of scones, she glanced up at him. "How are you doing, Edgar?" she asked gently. "You seem a little quieter than usual." Maybe she was wrong, but she’d learned to trust her instincts.

Calloused fingertips awkwardly fumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Coffee cake for me, please.... Only if you have it. && for the rest. ” He hated choosing for others, but he was sure his family would appreciate a sweet treat. It might even distract his mother from any questions that simply couldn't be answered.

"For the rest, I'll leave in your capable hands, it's for my family. " He was sure they would like anything from here, even for someone who didn't particularly have a sweet tooth, everything smelled divine.

He leaned on the counter, watching as the scones began to settle into their box. “I’m alright—just a bit fogged in, if that makes sense. Work’s been a flurry of owls, and I think I’ve been spending too much time trying to untangle things that don’t want unravelling.”

"Look, I'm not opposed to it Frank, but I'm sure I would be er more uncle adjacent?" He wasn't sure he'd ever really held a baby, maybe when he was a kid and Mila had been born, but that had been an age ago. "I'm just glad you're happy && doing well && hopefully this madness will come to an end sooner rather than later."

Dark brows rose as the wizard was all soft smiles && approving eyes as he marvelled at the ease with which the other witch navigated through the conversation. He wouldn't call in jealousy per se, but he could recognise a longing, a deep longing to reclaim a passion for his work, to find a quiet certainty in his day-to-day life.

He watched, calloused hands relaxed at his side, as dark hues took in the magic with a glint of appreciation. "Ah, yeah, that sounds lovely." Voice steady "Though could you make up another box... maybe two, if I just get the one, I'd be playing favourites." && Merlin knows that wouldn't end well. "Sorry, I'm rambling now." Pausing mid-sentence, dark brows rose as he spotted some cupcakes.

"&& This could be an inconvenience, so please feel free to say no. But could I also have a large box filled with cupcakes ? " Everyone felt it these days, the shroud of darkness, the constant fear, everyone lived in it, fear so thick you could almost breath it in. && the order meetings were no better, still sometimes the best medicine for fear was something sweet, something to help the nerves && ready yourself for the danger.

Even though his breathing was still disregulated, adrenaline was still coursing through his veins, he did all he could to take back control, to calm himself. "I know, but if they catch back up with us like this..." He left that sentence hanging in the air for a moment before taking a deep breath, slowing his racing heart. His voice softens, almost tender. "You've done good, Mary, kept your cool. It's not an easy thing to do && once we're in the clear, we can celebrate."

Turning once more, he checks their surroundings one more time, then turns back to her, giving a wink as he adds in a soft, steady tone. "Right, let's press on. You're right, it's best not to linger too long now that we've caught our breath. It's best we go mix in with a crowd, just to be on the safe side. "

“ Well, good, I’d hate to be accused of kidnapping you when you’re working,” he teased with ease. He knew the signs of a workaholic; Merlin, he was the kettle. 

Only on the rarest of occasions could the witch make the claim that someone showed more signs of stress than her. Even rarer was the occasion that she was the one to pick up on the matter at hand. Still, each time she got to hang around Edgar was nice. In times like these friendships seemed to matter more than anything. Connections, that would outlast even the darkest days. The Order, the people within it held that potential for the witch.

Shoulders rolled into a feline-like stretch. After the satisfaction that came with breaking a particularly complicated curse, he was left with a pile of tedious paperwork. It was one of the downsides, another was that he was good at it, Edgar had an eye for detail, he liked to dot the i && cross the t no matter how tedious, he didn’t like to leave a job half arsed.  Pausing, he pushed his chair back. He was desperate for a much-needed gulp of fresh air. Moving at a quick pace he took a floo to diagon alley.  Once among the hustle && bustle of the crowded streets, he took a breath, it felt good to fade into the waves of people, it was oddly refreshing.  At his name, Edgar turned, grin planted on his face when he spotted Hestia.  “ OUCH ! Didn’t know we were taking shots Hestia, you wound me. ”

"Now, are you meeting someone or do you have the time to sit and have a drink together for a change?" There was no accusation in her question, she had been just as bad at reaching out as of late.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, Frank. " Despite his words, his old body was shocked with matched humour, lips curled in a bright grin. “Look at you, already sounding like a father of two or three, you wouldn’t think this was your first. You’re going to be great. "

"Do you want to go get a cup of tea or a coffee?" she asked with a grin, "My treat, so that you don't spill all of my secrets."

Shoulders shook with gentle laughter. " Let’s just keep this between you && me. Best not have that floating around. You’ll get me in all kinds of trouble. " Sometimes the best medicine was to share some laughter. " Really, I was only joking, don’t feel obliged, just don’t want you worrying. " Taking a deep breath, he inhaled the scent of paper, fresh books marred by ink. “There’s something about a new book smell.”

She had already claimed a quiet corner, half hidden by the flicker of the old amber lights and the low hum of the other patrons going about their evening, and she had been casually watching the people around her when she spotted her brother entering. Leaving her coat behind to save her table, she made her way over.

"What a way to greet your sister, hm?" She replied in a teasing tone.

Laughter rang out from parted lips, as he simply shrugged his shoulders.  “ What ? It’s busy && you’re small. ” He teased back with an ease that came with being family. Wrapping his arms around her he pulled her into a quick hug lips pressed against her hair, before stepping back.

Merlin, he missed her, work had been so busy he’d hardly had time for family.  “ Now, whatever you’re having, just put it on my tab, we can call it the favourite sister perk. ”

Keeping his expression light, his grin still in place. It was strange to think that smiles, which came so natural to him were becoming a rarity these days. So bogged down with work, with the horrors he saw with the order, sometimes it was hard to find a reason to smile, to indulge in taking a few moments for himself.  “ Hm, maybe a little of both ? What would you recommend? what’s your favourite? ”

It wasn't that strange that she was a little startled at the sudden sounds downstairs. With her wand in hand, she moved down the stairs and opened up the door to the kitchen. It was there that she saw Edgar Bones standing there, clearly injured. "You need more than to just catch your breath, get in there," she said to the man. She pushed open the backroom after giving in the password against the protections.

Once behind the door, it locked on them again and she turned towards Edgar. "I'm only good at helping out with smaller injuries. I do think you will need a healer, I could see if Andromeda could help out?"

She didn’t need to tell him twice. Stumbling forward, it was pure will mixed with adrenaline that kept him up. He hated doing this to her. “ I’m really sorry Ros.” The words were a rasp, his voice a low murmur.  At the mention of Andromeda, Edgar quickly shook his head. 

“No — “ Shaky fingertips moved to gently grasp her arm. A silent plea in the action.  Forehead lulled forward as he let it hang for a second, the exhaustion now claiming him, doing everything to pull him down into its embrace.  “It’s late, && she’s with her family, I’ll be fine.” He knew enough to know none of his injuries were fatal. Painful ? yes, oh Merlin yes, but fatal ? No.  He’d be fine. 

“Give me 15 minutes && I’ll be out of your hair.”

"How considerate, Bones. Though I do assure you, I can manage a few idle moments without a minder." He leaned back ever so slightly in his seat, perfectly composed. "As for the travel, hardly taxing. My carriage is a touch more comfortable than most Ministry-issued broomsticks."

His eyes flicked briefly to Edgar’s tapping fingers before returning to his face, tone smooth as glass. "Though I must say, your enthusiasm is... delightful." A beat. "Let’s not pretend we’re enjoying this, shall we? You’re no more thrilled to be here than I am to wait. So, perhaps we skip the pleasantries and sit in mutual silence like proper Englishmen."

A faint, knowing nod followed, Lucius’s version of civility.

A strained smile grazed his lips as he nodded in agreement. Yes, he could imagine Malfoy wouldn’t enjoy a minder, alas, he was to do as he was requested.  "Oh, I’m sure Mr Malfoy, but you understand. " Even if he didn’t, it mattered not. A carriage, my my Edgar couldn’t think of anything worse, he loved to fly, there was something about feeling the wind in your hair, breathing in its freshness. Not that he would say as much, he had some tact. 

" Well, since you don’t mind…" That was all the wizard needed. He would have liked to be peering over reports, to get a head on his work && free some hours for order business tonight. But there was no helping it, confidentiality was important. Instead, Edgar flipped open the book he had been carrying under one arm, moving book bookmark aside, he half focused on the words, keeping his attention still on Malfoy.