Kept my fears in a suitcase,

She smiled at him, and wanted to tell him that there was always a chance. Of Course there was. But she didn’t, because she wasn’t really sure that she believed it. “You would be surprised. For some people it is less of a change. More like picking a flavour at an ice cream shop. The experience might be a little different, but you are still eating ice cream,” she said with a small shrug, but then she stopped, and cocked her head to the side like she might be listening for something. “But you are not one of those.”

“Well there are a great many number of techniques that you can learn. It sounds as though you might need a life coach.” And what luck, it just so happened that that was one of the many services that Sybill offered. 

“Well if it’s late enough for me to be closing, it’s late enough for you to be at home,” she said, still grumbling, her heart rate slowing back to normal. She considered walking past him and off into the night, but Frances’ personality and caring nature wouldn’t let her do that. “Something the matter?” she asked. Something usually was when people stayed out late, smoking in dark corners by themselves.

She nodded along with his sentiment, in a way understanding it. Simone herself was guilty of that at times, especially when in the company of new people. “I suppose it’s better to over-apologize than to never do it.” she remarked with a shrug and half smile. With his acceptance of her offer though her lips quirked into a full smile and she pulled out her wand. “They aren’t necessarily the easiest spells to learn. It took me longer than I’d really care to admit to get the hang of them,” as she spoke she reached to take hold of his hand bringing it up to where it would be easiest for her to cast the spell. Cradling his open palm in one of her hands and pointing her wand towards it with the other, she flicked her eyes up to him briefly, “Fair warning, this may sting a bit.” Murmuring a quick ‘episkey’ in a soft but clear voice Simone watched as the burn gradually became a lighter pink before fading altogether and she looked up at him with a smile. “There, good as new. How does it feel now? Any pain still?” 

Gideon Prewett enjoyed working out. It was something that he had picked up in his Hogwarts days and carried with him until now. Some people found it tiresome and almost too much work to go to the gym, but Gideon’s life goal was to change that stereotype. Working out could be fun and it was actually a great way to relax while being healthy. Besides working out and being physically strong was not something a lot of wizards did and because of that it had been become mandatory for all recruits and Order members to not only work out, but learn how to fight. 

In recent weeks Gideon had become much more hands on with the recruits, the other members already had their routines and Gideon only made sure they were sticking to that routine as well as sparring them a few times a week. The recruits were literally starting from the ground up. Today’s recruit was going to be Peter Pettigrew, Gideon didn’t know much about him but from what he had heard between the other recruits and Dumbledore he had his work cut out for him. Heading to the reception area he found the man waiting for him, “Peter. Glad you could make it. Why don’t you come with me? We can do a tour and then we’ll do the consultation before we get you started”

“Alright, you got me there. I am not even sure I know how to make a bed,” he chuckled. It was half true. If he spent the night at his parents’, often he would be so tired he would sleep over the covers, and if he slept at Lily’s he usually had to sneak out of the bed early in the morning, kissing her sleeping lips and disappearing. James’ heart seemed to be in standby as he awaited for Peter’s reaction to his news, his face breaking into a huge grin when Peter finally smiled. “Oh come on, I’ve been in love with Evans since I saw her. If I was ever going to settle down, it was going to be for her,” he said sincerely, beaming. “We are keeping it quiet now, until things calm down a little more. But I wanted you guys to know. Maybe we could have a little party or something soon.”

“If you did ever try I certainly never saw it...unless that mess was your attempt at it, in which case you are truly rubbish at it,” he laughed. The house elves always made the beds at Hogwarts and now that he was on his own he tried to at least attempt it. It wasn’t truly making the bed, he would just pull the covers back up and tuck them under the pillows, smoothing them out afterward. The end result looked pretty much the same so he figured it was just as good. “You have been, I’m just still shocked she’s put up with you this long and that she’s agreed to do it for the rest of her life,” he joked lightly elbowing his friend. “In times like these, you should definitely celebrate these kinds of things, a party is a must,” he agreed. Peter thought they should share their news, a happy event like this gave people hope but he didn’t say anything just yet unless there was another reason they were keeping it quiet.

“Calming and it gives me something to focus on,” He murmured. Remus didn’t care for the cigarettes, but the distraction had become necessary now that there wasn’t a guarantee that one of his friends would be around at the time of the full moon. “That’s a waste,” He grimaced. “I’ll need to remember to avoid even mentioning it to her.” Remus gave a low chuckle once they were inside. “It’s Sirius’ job to liven things up. I usually just come here for the trivia.”

“Should try one of those electronic cigarettes I’ve seen the muggles talking about, not supposed to be as bad or something,” he shrugged. “Wonder what Lily would think of those,” he mused. Would it fare any better if she caught him with one? “It was, can’t let her sneak up on me,” he shook his head slightly. “Probably a good idea, might start searching you or something if you let it slip.” He wouldn’t put it past her, he would have to leave his cigarettes at home when he went to visit her. “You’re his backup, so it falls to you,” he joked. “Oh? Bet you do fairly well with that.”

His apology was a tad unexpected and Simone laughed softly, shaking her head as she spoke, “Maybe I’m mixing up my manners, but I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be the one apologizing in this situation.” As he pulled his hand out into view, she glanced down and bit her lip gently. He was right that it wasn’t too bad of a burn, but it still had to be uncomfortable especially considering its placement on his hand. For a moment she considered not saying anything, he was most likely perfectly capable of taking care of his own hand after all. But no matter how indirectly and accidental it may have been, she had been the cause of him dropping his cigarette and injuring himself in the first place. The least she could do was offer to help now. “I could heal that if you’d like? I know I’m virtually a stranger to you, but my sister’s a dancer and she gets hurt sometimes so I’ve gotten good at healing spells.”  

His cheeks heated a little as she pointed out that he shouldn’t be the one apologizing, it seemed to just be a reflex to him now. “When in doubt I apologize, keeps me covered that way just in case,” he said smiling awkwardly. That and he usually figured things were his fault. This one was perhaps a combined effort for fault since he was more easily startled and clumsy than most and she had done the startling inadvertently. Peter was surprised at her offer, not used to people fussing or worrying over him, least of all a stranger. “Ye-yeah, if you don’t mind that would be really nice of you. I’m kind of rubbish with healing spells,” he said looking back down at his hand a small smile appearing on his lips.

“I don’t do it enough to warrant needing to quit. It’s just been handy around the full moon.” He paused, eyes widening slightly. “Do me a favor and don’t tell Lily? I can’t imagine her finding a cigarette on me going over well. ”Remus chuckled and shook his head. “Forgetful sounds about right.” The walk to the bar wasn’t overly eventful, with Remus hesitating before stepping through the doorway. “It’s a little on the quiet side, but I can’t complain about the place besides that.”

“Yeah?” he paused, considering. “Calming or something like that?” he questioned, curious. It was to him anyway and it gave him something to do with his hands which he liked since he never seemed to know what to do with them. “Course not, I wouldn’t tell her. It doesn’t go over well, trust me. Grabbed mine and stamped it out right in front of me,” he shook his head slightly. He knew better than to smoke in front of her, but she had surprised him. “I don’t mind, and I’m sure you could liven it up if you wanted.”

Going to a gym wasn’t something that was his idea of fun or on his to do list though with his scrawny build it probably should have been. When he had been recruited there had been some mention of a gym but he hadn’t thought it was mandatory or that they were really that serious about it but here he was. He thought time would be better-spent training in magic rather than physical since that would be how most of the battles would be fought, wouldn’t they? Honestly, he wasn’t sure that his small frame could be whipped into any kind of shape and even some semblance of it would require gruelling effort which made him wince.

Peter took a deep breath and stepped into the gym looking around for a moment at all the different people exercising only intimidated him further. He stepped up to the front area asking the girl seated there for Gideon as instructed. As she set off to look for him he wondered if it was too late to make a run for it.

Peter’s awkward hugs never bothered him, he always hugged him anyway. He was glad to hear he hadn’t actually hurt Peter though, he was a bit fragile. “You know me so well.” He replied to the suggestion. “Let’s go. Are you looking for snacks or a proper meal?” He asked, happy to do either as long as it tasted good. And they got to have fun after. 

“I’d hope so after having to share a room with you,” he chuckled. He wished they could go back to their time in Hogwarts, things had been much simpler then. Finding a dirty sock or two in your bed was a small price to pay. “I could go for either, with your appetite a proper meal might be best,” he noted. Otherwise, Sirius would just end up being hungry later if he wasn’t properly fed.

“Had it been last week, I likely would have asked for a drag,” Remus murmured. The moon hadn’t been as unforgiving as usual, merely leaving him with several scratches and leg pain instead of a headache and widespread pain that came with it. “I can do the computers just fine – The phone just feels like it’s too much. Half the time I forget I have it.” He chuckled. “There should be a bar if we turn the next corner, but I’m not opposed to apparating.”

“Are you trying to quit?” he questioned wondering as to the cause. “James said he was, but then he stole a cigarette off me so I don’t think it’s going well,” he said, a small smile on his lips. “If you can do computers you should be great with phones, it's pretty much just a tiny computer but less complicated,” he chuckled. “So, it’s not that you are rubbish at it, just forgetful? These new ones are quite big, don’t know how you can forget such a weight in your pocket.” He was always having to rearrange his in his pocket. “That works.” He wasn’t fussy as to the where and he headed in the direction Remus indicated.

“Not precisely,” she said, with a shake of her head. “It is more like… there are a number of paths. I feel as though you could still change your fate.” She looked at him curiously as he confessed to having worries. “Such a shame, for someone so young to have such troubles. Have you considered that being worried about them might be bringing them about or making them worse?”

Well, that didn’t sound good. The fact his fate needed changing meant it was going down a bad road. What was going to happen to him? “At least there is still a chance for me then,” he muttered. As if he needed more worries to add to his pile. “Don’t we all have a number of paths we could take?” Every choice led to a different road and a million little choices made the future, ever changing. It was why he’d never put much stock in Divination, the answers they gave were always vague since the future wasn’t set in stone. “Probably...but how do you stop a mind from worrying?” It wasn’t like he enjoyed it, but his brain just refused to be quiet.