duende

“Wow, that is amazing,” Ben said, taking the object that was handed to him and examining it, “That’s very well-crafted. Where did you get it?” he asked the other. His entire job was about good craftsmanship so he was genuinely impressed by this object.

“Would you ever want to? Because I know I wouldn’t.” Gwen admitted with a smile playing over her features. Perhaps that was just another bonus of her job, she was happy with all the attention it gained her. “My plans for this year? Well to have the team come out on top would be a start. I’ve only recently started as their Captain career wise so to be able to have them win overall would be a huge thing, you know? What a way to say, here I am.” She explained with a wistful grin. “To go away more often too. I feel like last year was a little too static for my tastes but there were other things going on that kept me busy.” The sudden marriage and her promotion being two big things. “What about you? What do you want in the new year Ver?”

“No... no I wouldn’t either,” Verity replied after not even pausing very long to think it over. “It sounds miserable to be honest,” she added with a brief snort. “It would–  not only have you got a stellar team behind you, but you are also a natural leader. I think the Harpies have a fighting chance to sweep the Quidditch wins across the board,” Verity grinned, wishing nothing but the best for Gwen and for there to be and endless chain of victories awaiting the team she was now captain for. “Go away more often? So... girls trips? Like monthly ones? You know I’m just a call or text away,” she was barely teasing too, happy to go with Gwen on holidays whenever she wanted. “While I hate the thought of more danger plaguing the people of the wizarding world, I hope I have some chances to prove myself as an auror this year. I know there’s still plenty of people on the force who don’t trust me given my father but he’s the whole reason I left the Quidditch world behind. I trained to become an auror fair and square and I want to reclaim the Nott name– as basic as it may seem.”

“Well we better get rid of the evidence asap.” Gwen smirked as she threw some of the drink back, taking several gulps before passing it over to her best friend. “I suppose that is true though. We do anything but blend in. We were born to stand out.” She winked playfully.

“You’re absolutely right about that. I don’t think we could blend in even if we tried, we’re just that destined to be the main characters,” she grinned back cheekily. “Thank you,” Verity beamed as she took the bottle and swigged some of the alcohol for herself. “Have you got any plans or goals for the new year?”

“You should know by now there’s very little that you need to do to get my butt to do something.” He teased, moving to stand up and holding out a hand to her. “So this is good music for you, huh? Is this a hint that I should take you out on more dancing dates?”

“I figured as much,” she laughed in response, taking his outstretched hand. “It’s pretty good,” Verity nodded, her smile growing at his next question. “I certainly wouldn’t say no. You know I love to dance so it sounds like a pretty perfect night out to me.”

🍾- our muses share a glass/bottle of champagne

“Oh bloody hell.” Gwen cackled as they both ducked down, trying to get out of sight. “Do you think they noticed where that came from?” She questioned Verity when the cork of the bottle managed to clock someone square in the back of the head. “Probably best to lay low for a little while.”

@veritynctt​

“I sure hope not– they seemed pretty pissed,” Verity joined her best friend in laughter. While she couldn’t blame the stranger for being upset about getting a champagne cork to the head, she also couldn’t stop laughing at the unlikely event. “Also us? Lay low? Have you met us, G?” she let out a snort of amusement.

“I wouldn’t say I left it unattended since I’m standing right here, but I do understand your point,” William replied. It was not a topic to argue about so he was going to drop it. “I think we’d all be better off without that so called music. Honestly, I don’t want to be one of those old people who stand in their gardens and shout at the sky to stop being so blue, but I cannot understand how anyone can listen to this and think it’s great.”

“You were stood far enough for me to not register that it was yours,” she shrugged back. “Of course you would. If you ever watched the movie Footloose you’d probably love it– a town without music, dancing or fun altogether. Sounds like your utopia,” Verity commented. “What would you choose if you could be in charge of the party’s playlist?”

“If you’re so eager for a drink, perhaps it would be best if you get your own instead of just grabbing a random one,” William commented loudly when he noticed the other trying to take his half empty gall of Firewhisky. His tone was casual since he figured it was an honest mistake, but one could never be too careful.

“Must be nice to be able to feel like you can leave your drink unattended. Women don’t exactly have that luxury,” Verity couldn’t resist commenting with a slightly bitter tone to her voice. “Also I wasn’t trying to take it to drink, I was just going to move it aside since it’s dangerously close to the stereo equipment that’s blasting all this music right now,” she explained.

“What’s a girl got to do to convince you to scooch your little butt onto that dancefloor with me?” Verity nudged her boyfriend with a grin on her lips. “I have been itching to get out there since I heard the music choices tonight,” she admitted.

“Hey, I made cookies. Would you like one?” Pippa asked, “It’s my first attempt at baking so I’m looking for some guinea pigs who are willing to be brutally honest about how they taste. You in?”

Dolores moved out of the way, surprise on his face. “Uh, no offense, but you could say excuse me instead of pushing me, y’know?” she said to the other, slightly offended over being pushed.

“Oh shit– I’m sorry,” Verity expressed when she realized what she had done. “I didn’t see you, that’s my bad,” she added. “Are you alright?”

“You’re up to five now, right? It’s easy enough to lose track of us all.” James continued to tease, “I’m your favourite though, aren’t I?” He smirked, leaning into the other and bumping his shoulder with her own in retaliation to her hip bump. “Maybe I’m in a constant state of hungover then, interesting.” He mused for a second, “Oh you’re the worst when you’re hungover, truly. I’m surprised I haven’t just left before you woke up and return back in the dead of night yet so I don’t have to deal with your ass all day.” He joked, because in reality he liked caring for the other when she was under the weather, it was nice to show her how much he loved her even when she was ill, hangover included. At the mention of Angela Lansbury’s voice coming from her body, he couldn’t help but take a small step back, letting his eyes check her over, squinting a little as he thought. “A very interesting concept, one that has left me very confused and a little turned on.” James rolled his eyes at the other and turned to face her with an expression on his face to say if she was for real, “Of course I know you were joking, if you hadn’t found good enough qualities in me you would have dumped me long before now. I know I’m hot, but hotness doesn’t make a three year relationship.”

“I’m going to have to start putting name tags on all of you, it’s getting confusing,” she played along for a moment longer. “Always,” Verity assured without hesitation, reaching to cup his face affectionately. All of their lighthearted jokes aside, she never wanted James to doubt his place in her life. “Says the one who is a total diva at any minor inconvenience,” she teased back, gently shoving him by his shoulder. “I’m one of the last people who will ever kink-shame, but you might need to unpack that in therapy. It’s kind of giving mommy issues,” Verity pointed out, but her tone was lighthearted to imply she that she was still just poking fun at the other. “It doesn’t. But it certainly makes ours all the more fun given how attractive we both are,” she chuckling lightly as she kissed him for good measure. “I could start listing all the actual reasons we’re together, but that would get real sappy really fast and we might be here forever while I try to get through the metaphorical list.”

“I know. It still surprises me that it all happened.” And yet there was that soft wistful expression on her features as she thought about it. Clearly Gwen was still besotted with the man. “The only person he will ever have to worry about is you. You are the only one special enough to me that could ever vie for my attention.”

“Does it? It doesn’t surprise me. The two of you are a perfect match,” she replied with a smile. It never failed to be heartwarming to see the two of them fawn over one another even when apart. The love the two of them shared was undeniable. “I’d be lying if I didn’t enjoy being so high up on your list. And just so you know, it’s absolutely mutual. You’re the only competition James would ever need to worry about too.”

“Possibly. I’d definitely sugar momma you if i had the chance though.” Gwen playfully responded, winking back at her friend before laughing. “And probably though I am not sure how Ben would feel about sharing me though. He’s surprisingly possessive in a weird way.” Not with most things of course but Gwen very much doubted he would be open to having her be with anyone else. “We have a special relationship, that’s for certain.””

“I have no doubts that you’d do just that,” Verity joined in on the laughter brightly. “I mean he married you– can you blame him for being possessive? You’re an absolute stunner and the whole package, he’s got to keep you close to his chest,” she teased lightly, but she did mean it when she hyped Gwen up. She believed the other was an incredible woman who deserved every compliment that came her way. 

“Hey, buddy,” James said, bending down to scratch behind the dog’s ears, “Who do you belong to?” He asked, looking around.

@veritynctt​

“I’m always sober and well composed, you must be thinking about your other boyfriend.” James continued to play along with the other, letting out a hum when she reminded him of the repercussions of his drinking. “I do hate being hungover and I have a feeling you hate me being hungover too because I turn into more of a little bitch then usual.” James grimaced at the others words, “Yeah, the only image I get from that is Mrs Potts and she’s really not sexy.” James let out a snorted laugh, “Glad it’s only taken you what, 3 years? To figure out why it is you date me. Took you long enough.”

“Ah of course– my other one,” Verity chuckled, playfully bumping her hip against his. “Being a bitch is one of the side effects of a hangover. Like I totally get it, but it does suck to deal with. I say that because I can also be a nightmare,” she replied, not wanting James to think she was against him specifically in some way. “No, not really. Although Angela Lansbury’s voice coming out of this body... interesting concept,” she joked after sliding her hands down her torso seductively before dropping them to her sides again to laugh. “For Rowena’s sake, James– you do realize I was only joking right?”