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âWho said I had to dress up for anyone?â she bit back with a snarky grin. âOr should I ask you who youâre all pretty and kilted up for in return? Showing all that leg like a right harlot.â Emmeline had always had a special bond with Alastor âââ one that she held dear to her heart. In certain ways, he was almost like the father figure sheâd always wanted and needed in her life. Well, a scar-addled father figure that grumped and grumbled like a disgruntled grizzly bear, but cared immensely, nevertheless. âI know a number of us that would do a far better job than that joke.â Not herself, of course, Merlin fucking forbid.Â
âAw. Was that a compliment? Just wait until I tell the other two, theyâll be tickled pink over that.â Though, really, she knew exactly what her boss was saying. He, more than anyone, knew what a cohesive unit could achieve, especially in matters such as their current operation.
The coded mention of Snape had her raising her brow, however. âWhen you say words, do you really mean it, or did you toss the sod around a bit?â Biting at her bottom lip for a spell, she turned her gaze back toward Alastor. âShould we even be trusting Dumbledore at this point?â It was a bold claim to make, both in public and in front of her fellow auror. He and Dumbledore were friends, after all. Good ones, at that.Â
Emmeline gripped her drink tighter in her fingers, let out another short sigh, and gave a swift nod of agreement after a beat. Truthfully, she didnât trust Snape either. It was a good call, and she knew it. âYeah, âcourse. You got it. Iâll watch him like a hawk. Anything else?âÂ
The snarky grin Emmeline gave Alastor in return made him chuckle. Throughout the years, Moody had seen and caught on to a lot more than he let others know - even before the magical eye. And while he held back on outright acting on his admiration and care for others out of preservation, the truth was, he cared quite deeply. And Emmeline was no exception. Before Tonks, Emmeline was one of the first he took under his wing as though a family member, âHarlot?â he laughed outright, âNothing wrong with a bit oâ Scotts pride now, eh?â the Auror let the giddiness pass as quick as it came, folding his arms across his chest as he looked over to her, âLucky for us, things can be different this go âround.â
âTickled pink!â the joy in Moodyâs voice returned, laughing a bit more at that. This new reality pushed him back into not only familiar territory with all of his prior pupils, but as well as a second chance to live that life a little more happily than before. And, for once, Moody thought it would be good to let those war-trodden walls fall for better moments such as these, âAs if theyâd believe it.â
As Emmeline caught onto his coded mention of Severus and ow quickly she saw through his meaning, Alastor shrugged with a hint of a smirk, âMightâve given him a good toss or two - and it may not be the only time I do,â his eyes then went to meet hers, sighing slightly. Emmeline wasnât wrong; and many were thinking just as she was. And while the Headmaster was his friend, there was also a bit of doubt in himself, âWe can trust the goal heâs always aiming towards...but maybe not the path he has in mind to get there...â
Moody was proud of Emmeline for taking on the task, shaking his head, âNot unless thereâs anything else on your mind. You can come to me about anything, eh?â