|
|
Post by Vane Devyne on Nov 10, 2012 22:05:20 GMT -5
Vane had chosen this tiny, out-of-the-way Inn and Pub rather than an airy coffee shop on Diagon Alley for Connor's convenience, not his own. It was in Hogsmeade, close to the school, and he'd be guaranteed that the man could make it.
He wasn't truly surprised that his old friend was a professor now, though it was difficult imagining him as any kind of leader. He'd been the quiet one of the pack, the unsure one who'd looked to the others for guidance.
Vane, who was actually writing as Vane now, had been gone how many years? At least two, though it seemed closer to three. He'd always been the guy in button-down shirts and a loosened tie, but today that tie, a soft grey satin, was tied properly, and his sleeves were fastened around his wrists rather than pushed up to his elbows.
He'd removed his blazer and hung it on the back of the chair, and was leaned back, waiting for Connor to arrive. It was strange to think of, and stranger how old feelings teased at his mind. He'd been a different person then; who wasn't, at sixteen?
|
|
|
|
Post by Connor Holt on Nov 10, 2012 22:16:30 GMT -5
Connor took full advantage of his position as muggle studies professor by making a point not to wear robes. Sure, it created a disconnect between him and his Slytherin students, but to many others it gave him an air of first hand knowledge. Though it was probably a tad unprofessional, it was much more comfortable to teach in more traditionally muggle clothes. Today, a regular outfit of jeans and a t-shirt was his clothing of choice, though they were much nicer than what he had worn during school.
Once he was in the building, he removed a jacket and hung it over his arm as he glanced around the room, quickly finding what had to be Vane. It had been quite a while since they had spoken, and he was looking forward to spending a bit of time with his old friend.
"Look at you, all proper and everything," he teased as he rounded the table and took a seat, draping his jacket on his chair back. "I don't think I've ever seen you have a tie done up like that."
|
|
|
|
Post by Vane Devyne on Nov 10, 2012 22:25:43 GMT -5
Vane grinned, and marveled at the sudden feeling of being a stupid kid again. Maybe he'd never really gotten over Connor because he'd never dared to explore his curiosity on that front. Maybe it was because that was the last time he'd considered someone a friend without it blowing up in his face.
"You haven't changed a bit," he said. Well, there was an air of confidence that had never been there before, but this was Connor as he remembered him, in jeans and a tee, all light and good feelings. He had half a mind to loosen his tie and pop that first button.
"They always started out tied," he said, gesturing to the swath of satin, "but I ruined them before breakfast was over."
|
|
|
|
Post by Connor Holt on Nov 10, 2012 22:33:57 GMT -5
Connor waved his hand, dismissing the technicality. They had always been in separate houses, breakfast was the first time they had contact, anyway. "So what have you been up to?" he asked. It had been too long since he had heard from his friend. A woman came by to take orders and, though he answered her, it was obvious, likely painfully so to Vane, that he still wasn't quite comfortable around females.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vane Devyne on Nov 10, 2012 22:40:35 GMT -5
Vane noticed, but didn't comment. Rather, he made his own order and insisted it all be on one check. He'd made the invitation, he was paying. He only watched her walk away for a moment. Then, deciding he wasn't entirely certain she was old enough, he turned his attention fully back to Connor.
"I went back to Weckesser," he said simply. Weckesser was the wizarding town closest to TAIM, and though it was similar to Hogsmeade, it was a bit larger. "The school's been rebuilt, and Bissig is a thriving city. It's amazing."
|
|
|
|
Post by Connor Holt on Nov 10, 2012 22:47:04 GMT -5
"Yeah?" Connor asked, looking back up at Vane and running a hand through his hair, a nervous habit he had developed. "All of that seems like it's a world away. Been here for so long, you know?" Sure, he remembered the good times the foursome had had together, but when it came to everything else, it just wasn't very important. "What brings you back?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Vane Devyne on Nov 10, 2012 22:55:15 GMT -5
"Ah, The Daily Prophet," Vane said, momentarily distracted. He'd had a bit of an obsession with hair for years, and that casual moment reminded him of something he'd completely forgotten. He used to ruffle Connor's hair as much as possible. He'd come up with every excuse to tackle him, to wrap his arm around Connor's shoulder, to have some sort of physical contact. That streak of curiosity had driven him near insanity before he'd finally left.
Vane glanced off into the pub to gather his thoughts, then returned his gaze to Connor. "I was working my way toward Senior Editor of the Thaumaturgy Tattler when I got picked up for Cauldron magazine. When the Daily Prophet saw my work, they sent me an offer I couldn't refuse."
|
|
|
|
Post by Connor Holt on Nov 10, 2012 22:58:48 GMT -5
Connor's lips quirked at what was undoubtedly not supposed to be a reference to an old muggle movie. "A lot of Hogwarts alumni work for the Cauldron," he said. It seemed to be a good starting point for a lot of people, there was even a student or two submitting work to the magazine. "You've been busy, then. You're making it look like I've been sitting on my bum doing nothing the past couple years."
|
|
|
|
Post by Vane Devyne on Nov 10, 2012 23:03:44 GMT -5
Vane grinned. Yes, he'd kept very busy, and enjoyed himself doing so. He had stories of exploits he wouldn't have told his younger self, let alone the Connor he'd been so close to. He was no a hoarder of secrets, there were too many, and he'd given up on his school reputation ages ago, but some things just weren't suitable for mixed company.
"So, what have you been doing?" he asked. "I only just heard about you joining the Hogwarts staff. Did you go home in the meantime?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Connor Holt on Nov 10, 2012 23:15:27 GMT -5
Connor shrugged. "Dated a little, never really had any luck, I kind of gave up after a bit. I went home a couple of times, but I mostly stayed here. I graduated a little late, mostly because I was doing some extra studying to get the job." He hadn't been able to think of anything he really wanted to do with his life, but spending his time talking about muggles wasn't so bad. "I haven't really done anything too interesting."
|
|
|
|
Post by Vane Devyne on Nov 10, 2012 23:21:10 GMT -5
"What a shame," Vane said. "Well, things are about to change, now that I'm back. I'm a reacher of goals; anything you want, we'll figure out how to get it for you." He paused as the waitress reappeared with their order, and murmured thank you in such a way that she giggled before taking herself off. He had plenty of time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Connor Holt on Nov 10, 2012 23:24:21 GMT -5
Connor chuckled, then shook his head at the short exchange between Vane and the waitress. Vane had always had enough confidence for the both of them. "So you're here to deliver me from my life of mediocrity?" he asked. He then wrinkled his nose and reached for his drink. He had been around professors way too much if he was saying words like mediocrity. Maybe it was because of the Traces, they liked big words.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vane Devyne on Nov 10, 2012 23:31:15 GMT -5
Vane chuckled. "If you're living in mediocrity, you're not living," he said. "When you're a hundred and fifty years old, which will you regret more; having gotten in a couple scrapes, or having nothing worth remembering?" He'd decided his own answer years ago, when his shoulder had finally given up on Quidditch. That had been a dark time before he'd picked himself up.
|
|
|
|
Post by Connor Holt on Nov 10, 2012 23:34:27 GMT -5
"I'm not you, man," Connor said, smiling at himself. "I'm doing good to have gotten a job." He likely only got it because the school was desperate for people to fill positions, anyway. When had he ever managed to actually man up and do anything of his own accord? "Besides, I've got a lot of years ahead to do something worth remembering."
|
|
|
|
Post by Vane Devyne on Nov 10, 2012 23:39:38 GMT -5
"If you say so," Vane said, reaching for his butterbeer. "Just let me know when you change your mind." Connor had come to him to ask if he could kiss a girl on a date. If he'd really only dated a bit and then given up, something was bound to happen sooner or later. Vane himself knew of at least one attractive, single female at Hogwarts, though he imagined the woman would eat Connor alive. Which could be fun, actually...
|
|
