build me up buttercup

When: 22rd November 

Where: some bat place

Who: @tamsinbrand​

“So when is this dinner?”

“Next weekend?” She almost winced. “But like James probably told you, I’ve got all sorts of box seats worth sharing.” She crossed her arms. “If this dinner goes really well, they might expect you at Christmas, but I can probably get you out of that.”

“Yeah, like those alliterations or tongue twisters people do. Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore?” Doris being the type of person who talked a lot, and quickly, made it through it all without stumbling. “Yeah, but the good thing is that when you’re up there, you won’t have to speak in tongue twisters, you can speak like a normal person, so there’s that silver lining. You just have to make sure you speak quick to keep up with the pace of the game. Can you speak quick?”

“Okay, maybe you should’ve gotten this gig.” Tamsin complimented at her non-tongue-tiedness. “In the heat of the moment, I hope I can, but I don’t want to sound like one of those auction announcers either. This is a tricky business. I wanted to ask McKinnon if she had any tips, but I didn’t want to sound like a chump.”

“Have you ever heard of any like, voice warming up techniques?” Suffice to say, Tamsin was a bundle of nerves before tonight’s quidditch match. It’d be her first night commentating. “Should saucy sharks seek shelter soon?“ She gasped. “I sound all sorts of tongue tied!”

.

“A bird who knows exactly what she wants. Refreshing.”

“I mean, I better figure it out making my mum and da pay an arm and a leg to attend here.” They’d both gotten in on quidditch scholarships. Money wasn’t really an issue with her family, though.

.

He hummed in acknowledgement. “And uh, what are you studyin’ Ms. Gryffindor?”

Tamsin spoke with certainty, “I’m going to be a medi-witch. Hopefully a personal one for a quidditch team.” She had her dreams laid out neatly in front of her.

.

He shrugged, shaking his head. “Nothing in particular. Just making conversation.”

“I’m a Gryffindor.” She watched too much quidditch and was already aware of who he was, but she was not about to admit that.

.

“Yeah well when she’s a right cunt to you cause her brothers a prick it tends to cause issues.” He said with a shrug. “You a Hufflepuff?”

Tamsin found herself rolling her eyes at his colorful language. It wasn’t something she’d ever refer to Clem as and it ticked her off to hear it being used now. She held a hand to her hip, “Does something about me particularly scream Hufflepuff?” She wasn’t exactly offended. Her mother had been a Hufflepuff.

.

“She and I don’t exactly see eye to eye on account of her brothers a giant prick.”

“Never met him, so I’m a bit impartial. Though I don’t go around knocking on people because their brothers have an issue with me. Maybe her brother’s a prick, but she’s pretty great, as far as tutors and Hufflepuffs go.”

.

“Pass.”

Tamsin rose a curious brow, “That was quick. I bet she’s all booked up anyways, so you’re in luck.” Or perhaps Clem was.

.

While a tutor would be beneficial, it would also mean admitting to someone that he was struggling. People already thought he was stupid, getting a tutor would be admitting it. It would also mean being indebted to someone. Still, he was curious. “Yeah? Who’s that?”

“Her name’s Clem.”

.

Camille smiled widely at her suggestion. “That sounds like a great idea — I mean, you must be ready to exercise your patience, my understanding is really, really basic. But I’d love that.” She altogether forgot the discussion on the frog choir matter, being too excited at the prospect of Tamsin wanting to spend time with her to care about it.

“I’ve got your back.” Tamsin promised. She could’ve added a wink to top it off, but she wasn’t that charming. Instead, she cranked up the wireless a few notches louder and said, “I’m going to teach you a thing or two about Germany’s team.”

.

“Ohhh, superwoman. If someone ends up going as superman– and I feel there’s always that guy– that would make for a fun photo.” She took the yarn from her. “Ooooh, that’s perfect. Now, I feel like I can really organize my thoughts. Make timelines– like really look into that train accident Invergowrie. You hear about that?”

“I didn’t even check in with my fake boyfriend to see what he was going as. We could take photos on my iFlown for my Nan.” Tamsin had told a few people about her fake boyfriend, because here at Hogwarts it didn’t matter. It was only for appearances with her Nan and that woman shouldn’t’ve been stepping on campus anytime soon. Not until graduation and that was another year away. She perked up at the mention of the train accident. It felt not many people were talking about it, so it was refreshing to see Doris taking an interest in it. “Shame what happened. Between all the chaos that’s been happening for a year, it’s probably no coincidence. I’m guessing you’re already onto that, though.”

.

“Behavioral charms. A real blast that one.”

“I’m taking practical healing spells. It’s all bogus to me.” Except that it wasn’t. Tamsin would learn from it, of course, but Charms always took more time than others. It got to be exhausting. “You should get a Charms tutor. I have one, but I think she’s pretty booked.”

When: 5th November, 1979, daytime. Where: Either one of his classes; or with a private tutor? Possibly the library? Who: OPEN 

“Well, the answer to that is I did not do the assignment.”

“Was it a Charms one? I feel like blowing those off every week.”

.

“Oh, the Texarkana Phantom Killer,” she said with wide eyes. “Easy mistake to make. You know a lot of people think the Zodiac was inspired by Texarkana Phantom Killer or copying him in some way, but who really knows,” she shrugged, watching her search through her trunk. “But do you know what you’re going to be for Halloween just yet?”

“Right. Close enough.” As if Tamsin would remember that mouthful, but at least she’d remembered something from the tiny serial killer history lesson she’d received. Tamsin tapped her willow wand to the fabric of the older jumper she’d found. “I’m going as Superwoman. I’ve gone as that the past three years now and she’s never let me down.” The fabric turned to yarn shortly thereafter, red as blood. “How’s that?”

.

“Oh, I’m not judging you,” said Camille, with a chuckle. “I’m ignorant to quidditch. And I too, respect it — I’ll even go to the games and all, you’ll see.” Her words about the frog choir brought a tiny frown to her brows. She didn’t think they were so nice. “I don’t see why they’d say that, really. I mean, the songs aren’t all that jolly,” she admitted, “but it’s a hobby as any other, I guess.”

“Maybe if you catch a Gryffindor game, we can sit together where I’ll annoyingly narrate the whole game to you, but at least you’d understand.” Tamsin began to nod her, but not in total agreement. She hmmphed and shrugged her shoulders. “You’re right, to each his own.”

.

James gave a firm shake in response. “Don’t worry about us, we can handle a full moon.”

“Catch you at the party, cap.”