soldier again

“For me – it’s calming but it can get a bit tiresome!” she agreed with a smile as she peered down at the drink placed before her, gripping the mug. Biting down on her lip as she tried to come up with something believable that wouldn’t make her feel guilty for lying, “uh – security” she answered, her gaze darting back to his, “it’s a company that deals with public safety and security protocols” she offered. It wasn’t a lie – if she were a muggle with the same career, she’d probably be a part of a company like that or even pursue a career as a police official. 

“So some sort of confidential type of things? Or just a wide range of things?” he questioned. It made sense as to why she couldn’t go into a huge amount of detail. He remembered when he had to watch what he said in letters and stuff, but it hadn’t been his job. His job had been to follow orders and train and stay alive if he could.

“I’m sure you’ll find the time –” she assured quietly, “as completely sappy as it sounds – never lose sight of your desires. Life goes on but it will be in vain if you don’t live your life!” 

“It’s not sappy. It’s actually a good way to put it. It’s motivating.”

The shrug was returned, along with a slick smile. In all honesty, he had not even noticed the person this man was even talking about, and he doubted there indeed had been someone directly staring at him, but the Gideon had decided to play along. The pub he was currently in seemed warm and friendly, yet totally different from The Three Broomsticks or The Hog’s Head Inn. In a moment of forgetfulness, he had almost asked for a Butterbeer. “Six years? Well, that, to me, seems like a lot. As for pub recommendations, I don’t think I’ll be able to help you; it’s actually my first time here too. I was walkin’ round and fancied somethin’ to drink, and call it coincidence or whatever you like, I found myself bumpin’ into this place. Sometimes we run into exactly what we need while looking for something totally different. Are you sure you haven’t found the right pub yet?” Gideon hadn’t been walking around these streets by pure desire, but instead because of  orders from Moody and other Aurors. None of them wanted any more unexpected Death Eater attacks to innocent muggles. 

Jack looked around the pub around him a bit after Gideon questioned whether or not he was sure he hadn’t found the right one. He didn’t dislike this one and so far the people he’d officially met that night, Gideon being the only one besides the bartender, had been nice so he couldn’t see why this wouldn’t be a good regular visit. “So far I like this one, so maybe. Besides, it’s close enough to my flat.” Which was true, only a few blocks away.

“There’s just so much to see – I don’t want to miss out on it all” she didn’t want to live her life feeling like something was constantly missing. Perhaps that gut feeling was why being in Ravenclaw felt like home to her – from the second she was sorted. It was as if she was constantly trying to satiate her never ending curiosity – there was so much she wanted to learn, so much she wanted to see. Emmeline wasn’t want to get smug let alone get too pleased with herself but she was happy to see that she had helped ease his mind to some extent – that he believed her. 

“I get that. Personally, sometimes I worry about not getting to see it all.” But then again it wasn’t like he was making his life like he was some sort of world traveler. He’d only been to various places in the US and wherever the Army had sent him, which was unfortunately a short list even if it was the army. He knew it was something he’d do though, once his life became more stable. For sure he didn’t want to do it alone, though.

❝Well, then, I hate to say this to you, mate - your classmates sound like wankers.❞ Doe smiled, hoping such a comment wasn’t too brash to make. She normally tried not to think twice about such things, but this was one of the first conversations she’d had in weeks that wasn’t about fighting off all the forces of evil. Of course it helped that Jackson seemed like a genuinely nice guy, which was a rare find in a pub, and honestly rather comforting. It crossed her mind that he seemed like the listening type, the understanding friend who would support and defend you no matter what may have happened, the way Mary was - and she suddenly couldn’t help but smile.

Jack laughed and nodded. “Yeah, yeah they were. That’s why I probably don’t talk to them anymore. I mean all except my best friend, Thomas. I kinda have to talk to him if we’re sharing a flat.” And Thomas wasn’t a wanker really. They both shared their jokes about how they really could get girls if they changed one little meticulous thing that they probably couldn’t changed if they tried. But, hey, here he was. Talking to a woman and he wasn’t exactly trying to cover up his distasteful traits. At least not yet.

❝That’s because most of the time when we do try to plan things, it doesn’t work. Except that once. I could not have imagined that going any better than it did,❞ Thomas reasoned, smirking because he knew that the both of them were thinking about the missing pig. ❝But alright. If we get lost, you’re responsible for getting us back. You know better than me what a terrible sense of direction I have.❞

Jack let out a chuckle that turned into more of a laugh as he remembered more things surrounding the missing pig. “I don’t think anyone could’ve imagined it going as well as it did. That’s why no one believed us.” He smirked and shook his head. “Yeah, I’d definitely prefer to end up at our flat rather than the one on the opposite side of England again.”

“Yeah – I know the feeling” she sighed, there wasn’t a way to avoid ignorance and no matter what, people were entitled to feel the way they feel, regardless of whether or not it was right. “My list consists mostly of travelling – exploring the rest of Europe” she grinned, “oh come on – give yourself a bit of credit, you have an edge to you, I highly doubt you can be described to be bland. I personally, wouldn’t believe it!” 

“It sounds great though, traveling is definitely good things for a list.” He knew once he started his that would be some of the things on there. Europe, Australia, and Asia would definitely be some of his. He’d seen far too little in his time in the service. “I guess it’s all opinions. Though, I’ll believe you if you say I’m not bland.” She seemed like a good judge of character in all honesty.

Doe raised her eyebrows, almost as though she didn’t want to believe him. ❝Well, that’s a downright shame. I can honestly say that you’re not embarrassing - and trust me, I’ve met an outstanding number of embarrassing people, went to school with most of them. Handsome and gentlemanly to boot - if that’s the case, I’d say I’m one of the luckier ones.❞ She was a terrible flirt, she knew - flirting wasn’t exactly something she’d bothered to learn when she was still in school, which would have probably been beneficial - but she was a good flatterer. Besides, this allowed her to keep her mind occupied, well away from where it had been that morning.

Jack laughed a little through his nose before he shook his head. “Well, you must be more of an expert then because I unfortunately seemed to be the most embarrassing one most of the time when I was in school.” Honestly, he wasn’t the best with talking himself up. He probably talked himself down more than anything. He’d been told once or twice that it wasn’t the way to pick up girls and maybe they were right since it hadn’t worked too well so far. To quote others, it was good he had his looks.

Thomas smiled - knowing he would often worry his friend if he wasn’t careful, and hating it every time he did - then laughed, shaking his head. ❝That’s fair. We definitely haven’t been out as much as we should have, considering it’s been six years. What are you thinking? Plan it or wing it?❞

“I mean we never plan things,” Jack said with a shrug. Honestly most of the stuff they got into in school was unplanned. Well, unplanned until the last minute. And there was the one time with the numbered pigs. That was definitely planned. “So, I’m going with winging it.”

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I suppose but to everyone who plays a role in the war … whether it be a big or small one– people should be grateful because at the end of the day, lives are saved” she shrugged, “I bet you played your part if people can’t see that – don’t mind them” she assured. “It seems like you have a lot to be grateful for” she nodded slowly, “you know what I do – I make a list” she started, “a list of things I want to get done – I have a certain time frame for it of course, to well ensure that I get those things done but it’s a list of things that I’ve been craving to do… to do before well, I run out of time” she suggested, her excitement evident as she thought back on her list. Some would say that it was a bit morbid–that she thought that she might not make it out and she wanted to make the best of her time but she thought it was a good way to live her life. “Well, for someone whose just met you –  I think it has a certain allure to it” a smirk lingering at her lips. 

“I guess I really don’t judge people for their opinions. And honestly I don’t care what people say about me. But there’s people that weren’t as lucky as me and don’t deserve it, you know?” He sighed a bit before shrugged. He didn’t really mean to bring the topic down so much, but it’s been so long since he last got to speak his mind. He supposed he got a little carried away sometimes, though. “I like that idea. I should start one. I’m sure your list is more exciting though. Mine plans have always been a little bland.” He laughed light before he nodded. “Well thank you for that. I mean I do try. Sometimes.”

“That’s very noble” she murmured, her teeth nipping at her bottom lip as her gaze became a bit more focused on the counter before her, she couldn’t imagine a life where she would have to fight merely with her hands. Without her wand – she’d be helpless. The type of war that he might have engaged in seemed much more –gruesome, much more to lose, “I’m glad you were lucky – you still have so much ahead of you” she grinned, sometimes she couldn’t help but envy the muggles. They didn’t really have much to fret about yet their lives laid in the balance of the Wizarding world now– especially with extremists running about, she could only hope that they remained ignorant. Her smile widened ever so slightly as she took note of his change in demeanour, “I would hope that it’s a pleasant surprise? A little bit of danger – the adrenaline is what keeps life interesting” she grinned. 

He looked at her when she said it’d been noble of him. Truth be told, he’d been forced into it after all, but then again, he could have ran to Canada had he really wanted. “Not many people would agree with you on that,” he said in a sort of thanks. Honestly, while she seemed very nice and understanding, he hadn’t quite expected that reaction. “Yeah, I like to think I do. I don’t know, I’d always kept the plans of a future. And I mean I owe a thanks to someone too. Without them, I was sure that my friend and I wouldn’t have made it out.” He didn’t speak often about the Wizard they’d run into, but then again he’d promised to keep the secret. Still, it wasn’t like he was outing them for magic for saying he owed them thanks. “I’d like to think it’s a pleasant surprise, but you’d have to ask anyone who’s surprised more than me.”

She nodded slowly, “yes ah– a boarding school. I just attended for about seven years or so” keeping the details as vague as possible was possibly the best situation. Emmeline didn’t enjoy lying –she often chose to be brief as possible to avoid any trouble, her smile wavered slightly, “I’m sorry you had to leave– it sounds like you miss it quite a bit” she murmured. “Drafted?” she repeated, a quirked brow as she recalled muggle studies, the term seemed quite familiar – something about partaking in a war? “Were you a soldier?” she questioned curious, “sorry–I’m not so familiar with the term” she admitted quietly, a sheepish smile at her lips. She knew that high school was an education system that had to do with adolescence, “well, it seems like you have quite the appetite for danger” her smile widening as she rested her side against the bar counter, turning toward him a bit more. 

He carefully thought through the years that seven meant and figured it was about junior high age that she ended up in this boarding school. He thought to ask her more about it, but since she seemed to be dusting over details, he wouldn’t push too much. “It was just familiar, but I like it here too.” He paused for a second when she asked him if he had been a soldier. He hadn’t even thought twice about mentioning he’d been drafted. He didn’t really tell people about it often, even in London because the shouts for piece didn’t leave it untouched either. “Oh yeah, no problem. But yeah, I was. Not for as long as others. I was brought in at the very end. I was lucky.” He smirked a bit then at the mention of him having and appetite for danger. “Yeah, a little. It surprises most people when they figure it out.”

She downed the contents of her mug, leaning back on her stool as she looked at him, “no, I actually grew up in Scotland. Well – my family lives here. London is my home but I was schooled in Scotland” she grinned, merlin she missed it all. She missed Hogwarts – she missed Scotland. “After I was done with school –I figured it would be best if I took up residence here, It kept me close to my family” she shrugged, a small smile at her lips. “You might see more but it’s a little less safe, do you have experience with that means of transportation? Motorcycles are wicked but they’re so edgy that they have a tendency to terrify me – just a bit!” 

He nodded, mentally mapping out where everything was again. “Okay so what kind of school did you go to then? A boarding school?” He assumed since she made it sound like she spent more time there than here. He unfortunately knew nothing about that type of thing. He just went to the usual American high school, nothing fancy. “But I can understand. If circumstances were better back home for me, I wouldn’t have moved.” He laughed a bit before he shrugged. “I had one back in high school, but I had to sell it when I was drafted. I figure, I’ve survived everything else, I can handle some danger.” 

She blinked and a man stood before her. Certain he hadn’t been there before, she shielded her eyes against the morning sun to get a better look at him. In one hand he gripped a silver trash bin, the sun reflecting harshly off of it. Alecto thought maybe he had been in the process of righting himself when she had snapped at him.

He noticed her shield her eyes and then realized the trash can was probably reflecting light off it right at her. He quickly set it back down in it’s proper place, on it’s bottom upright. Honestly, he was just embarrassing himself in this whole situation. But that really wasn’t new, especially lately. Still he kept a smile on his face.