#hells-bels

Meeting. New Wardens and visiting Wardens whom I have not met yet. Being the Regional Commander definitely began to aggravate my nerves. The pay and the way Luccio cared about people is what kept me in it. The kids needed to learn how to fight, to be trained. I’ve seen more combat than most, even some wizards older than me.

Of course, I couldn’t find anything ‘appropriate’ to wear according to Thomas so he dug through my closet and drawers of my small dresser. He managed to find one pair of jeans he determined would work. Then he trashed my room, throwing everything around before giving up and looking through his own stuff. 

“Thomas, it’s not all that important. I don’t have to look great,” I grumbled and moved to dig through the clothing he’d tossed everywhere. “I mean, not like I’m going to hook up with any of them. They’re like co-workers and subordinates.”

“Well with that attitude you’re not. Harry, I’m sick and tired of watching you and Karrin make goo-goo eyes at each other and not do anything due to ‘work reasons’. You haven’t had a relationship for quite a while and that Luccio Warden is going to be there right? You seemed to like her,” Thomas brought over a black hoodie. A black hoodie which was actually mine. 

“Please stop stealing my clothes,” I said before slipping the hoody on over my t-shirt. Thomas moved in and zipped it up half way before I could complain. “Also, there’s no way that’s going to happen. She’s rather amazing, but doubt she’d be interested.” 

Thomas rolled those silver eyes of his. His hair blowing in the non-existent wind. Sometimes I really, really wanted to just see him not being perfect. Something like that really drags on a guy’s self-esteem, especially if you’re related to it. 

“That hoodie is comfortable.”“So get your own.”“Can’t, I don’t have any money.”That brought out a snort and a little bit of a chuckle from me. 

“Take Mouse for a walk while I’m out? And feed him and Mister? Hopefully, I’ll outstay my welcome among all the old snobs and get booted out, but want to make sure if I’m not...” Look into his eyes. No fear of a soul gaze since we’d already had one. 

“yeah yeah, get out there, meet some hot wizard girls. Put a sock on the door. Maybe she’ll teach you how to say Leviosa correctly,” he rubbed his arm after I punched him in the shoulder for that quip. 

“I’m the clever one, you’re the pretty one. If you take away my cleverness whatever shall I do?” duster, blasting rod, a small ball of playdough, chalk, escape potion, Tylenol, wallet, staff, business cards, and car keys. Patted myself down one more time to make sure I had everything. “See you later, Thomas.”

He waved his hand a bit dismissively at me with a grin on his face. 

Time to drive...

Blue beetle. Break down for the nine hundredth and ninety-ninth time. Snow. Another two miles to the meeting. This night kept getting better and better. Tugging my duster around a bit tighter I started the long walk. I think Gandalf had it right when he said a wizard is neither early or late, they arrive precisely when they mean too. Unfortunately, when it comes to other people viewing it they only see the ‘late’ part. 

Quick in, quick out, being late isn’t even going to matter. 

Then I heard something utterly ridiculous. Being the amazingly grateful person I am, I decided to educate some fools. 

“Uh, excuse me, what did you just say?” I tried to look less threatening than my height allowed. 

“That the brew they got for this shindig is terrible,” the man held a mostly full bottle of Mac’s brew. 

“You most certainly can’t be talking about Mac’s.” I shook my head, not believing this person could be so serious. 

“It’s terrible, probably one of the worst beers I’ve ever had.”

“No one who has taste buds says that about Mac’s. At the very least everyone at least tolerates it.”

“And you are?” the kid- I mean, young adult I guess, rolled his eyes in a far less dramatic version than my brother. 

With a bit of a grin I folded my arms. “Dresden, Hary Dresden.” Pierce Brosnan might have been proud of my impersonation.