Heart of Gold

“I think so,” Ted said as he scrutinized their potion. “Did the manual say anything about purple smoke creeping out of the cauldron?”

“Was that supposed to happen…?”

“I think so,” Ted said as he scrutinized their potion. “Did the manual say anything about purple smoke creeping out of the cauldron?”

SEND ME A SENTENCE FOR MY MUSE'S REACTION,

“It’s hard to imagine Alice being self-conscious about anything,” he replied, amused. Of course, Remus hadn’t grown up a pureblood, and even a family as accepting as the Fortescue’s may find some fault with it, despite the many well-known wizarding opera singers. Perhaps she was embarrassed because she couldn’t sing to save her life. Remus only knew that because she’d repeated it (several times) to the Fat Lady as her biggest regret.

“She doesn’t seem like it,but Alice has many layers to her,” Ted said, shrugging. After all these years, he still wonders why Alice remained his friend. She was a born and raised as a pureblood, and he, a mere muggleborn. It took a while for them to accept each others’ cultures, and to this day, it still wasn’t easy, but the pair of them managed. Alice loved her opera singers while Ted loved Queen and David Bowie. 

Ted and Alice’s friendship was strange to behold from the outside; they were basically like an old married couple, aside from the fact they were teenagers and a bit crazy at times. It reminded Remus of how he used to be with Lily, or Mary, or Marlene, but on a whole new level. 

Not a lot of people would understand their odd friendship. They’ve seen each other naked, told each other their deepest secrets, and stood up for each other at all times. Some would say that a relationship like theirs would merit something other than platonic feelings, but they understood that a friendship such as theirs was too rare to simply turn into something romantic. They tried, but it never worked. They simply knew each other too well and didn’t need to prove anything to anyone.

“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry mate, she’s tucked up on the couch with a glass of water and some biscuits,” he answered, knowing Ted was rather protective of the little blonde. “Take your time, it’s no trouble for me, I’ve still got to walk ‘round the castle. Figured I may as well have a late-night Prefect round since I’m still awake anyway.”

“Alright, that’s good,” he said sleepily before a yawn escaped. He rummaged through his drawers, earning no luck there, before he began checking his bedside table. He knew he should have checked there first when he finally found a nice piece of wood under a few sheets of parchment. “Here it is,” he said as he handed it to the Gryffindor. “I could go down with you to draw her sorry arse back to her dormitory.”

“You’re such a jerk!” Charity teased, leaning her head on his shoulder. “Isn’t the water so pretty? I could sit out here all day.”

“I don’t believe you think so,” he said, smiling as she rested her head on his shoulder. “I quite agree. This is where I get my share of peace and quiet.”

His eyes widened in surprise as he tried his best to stifle his laugh. “You, miss, have a very active imagination, but that’s definitely not a bad guess,” he said with laugh, doing his best not to outright explode into fits right there. “I’m sure you’d like to think that you have a lot of worshippers, but can’t we have a normal conversation, where we get to know each other, and you don’t think I have any ulterior motives?” He asked, before ordering a slice of apple pie. “Purebloods aren’t my type. Besides, you suggested it in the first place, quoting a halfblood, you yourself don’t hold much regard for.”

“Sorry, mate, Alice is a bit drunk in my Common Room and swears she left her wand here. Won’t sleep ‘til she knows where it is.”

 “First of all, I don’t lack the ability for anything, I can appreciate simplicity — what I can’t appreciate is boring.” Narrowing her eyes, his mocking comment about her lifestyle did not go unnoticed. “A reputable magazine.” Flipping open to the advice column, she pointed to the Dr, before the writers name. “See, a medical professional, even.”

“A Grand one would be best, I think. Normal ones just don’t do the trick anymore, unfortunately.” 

“Coming right up,” he said as went down to the Hufflepuff dormitories to get a spare bottle. It took him a while, but he managed to return with a cup of water. “It doesn’t taste as great, and the recovery process is much more painful, but I think you’ll survive.”

“You sound far too idealistic for this time of night. If I started paying attention, I would simply come to the obvious realization that mostly things, and people, are horribly mundane.” A playful smile played at the corners of her lips, causing her to straighten up in her seat. Most people would have avoided the girl, not too many were brave enough to tease her the way Ted did. It was different, just not something she wanted to make a habit of — making a habit of enjoying being around a muggleborn, would only lead to trouble. “I think not, however, you could always take a more effective route, and eat your feelings out — Witch Weekly recommended it as a cure for a busy mind.”

“Guess I got it from the people in my house,” he shrugged. “Perhaps you lack the ability to appreciate simplicity in its raw state,” he said, as he turned to look at her. “Though I don’t blame you. Surely a life of luxuries has heightened your standards considerably, so I guess you’re unable to do such a thing,” he said as he finished off the last of his hot chocolate, unknowingly gaining a light, brown mustache. “Is that so? Are you suggesting that I take advice from a magazine?” He asked with a laugh.

Frustrated, she bit her lip and tried her best not to offend him with her words “It wasn’t pity, it was empathy. But you can go ahead and think you’re the only person that’s ever lost anyone.” She turned to go but couldn’t “I’m sorry, I don’t want to make you feel guilty or anything. Ugh, I suck at this.”

Ted huffed, a little put out, as he sat up. “Merlin, that’s not what I meant,” he said tersely. “I know I’m not the only one who’s lost his parents. I’m orphaned, yeah, but I apparently could have it a lot worse. But to tell you the truth, downplaying my problems isn’t going to help any,” he sighed. “Greta, I know you’re trying to help--and I’m grateful! Really, I am. But if you could just stop tiptoeing around me and start treating me normally, I’d feel better. We’ve been through this a little over a year ago, and you know I don’t like being coddled.”

“Did you know that the word fine has 24 definitions? I mean, I read that somewhere once, I think. In my experience most people use it to get others to stop asking certain questions.” She paused, unsure if she should go on. “I know you’re grieving Ted but, I just don’t think you should be alone at a time like this.”

Ted sighed as he looked up at her from his pillow. “Greta, I honestly don’t need your pity, right now.”

“There doesn’t seem to be anyone worth noticing, so I’m hardly to be blamed.” Her fork pushed at the fruit in her plate, no longer feeling hte apAndromeda raised a brow, her attention divided between watching the entrance, and the boy across from her. She was all too aware of how disapproving her sisters would be of the scene before them. “I doubt an order from me will keep you from losing yourself in thought, so be my guest. Though, I have heard that it’s healthy to talk to strangers about what’s on your mind, so feel free to humour me. You’ll keep me from worrying about the assignments we are going to be bombarded with, and I doubt Witch Weekly will be owling me for your secrets.”

“If you started paying attention, you’ll probably realize that there’s always more to everything than meets the eye,” he said, smiling. It wasn’t a secret that purebloods like Andromeda wouldn’t even dare look him in the eye lest they catch what he was born with. The thing is, he was simply born the way the rest of them were, and they were often too caught up in themselves to realize that. He knew she’d get in trouble for even talking to him, but it was fun to challenge--even tease--her. He realized that she was too stubborn to let him go without him seeing her point, and it was exciting. “Was that a way to get me to talk? You know, aside from using a bit of manipulation, you could always just say please.”

You scared me!

Ted chuckled. “I didn’t mean to, Charity. My apologies.”