Long Time No See (Mycroft)

Subject: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Fri Apr 27 2018, 22:07

Valentine's Day, 2041

It was snowing quite a bit as Teagan made her way slowly through the small village, heading toward the pub. The thick kind of snow, that fell in clumps and got stuck in her hair. While it made the walk a bit long in her tall boots, she really didn't mind it with how pretty everything looked. Hogsmeade in winter was one of her favorite parts of returning to Hogwarts.

That, and the magical energy that ran throughout the school. Even in the dungeons, she could practically feel it sparking along her skin. Spending the last few years out in the field with Renae and his team, Teagan had greatly missed being surrounded by so much magic. Most of their time was spent in camps and forests, deserts and...well, any outdoor landscape, really.

Yes, she had been happy to accept the suddenly open position at the school, glad to be back to civilization, as it were.

Pulling open the door and stepping into the dark room, she shrugged out of her winter robes and headed towards the thankfully open booth in the back. She hung the damp material on a nearby hanger and took a seat, tucking her cream colored pencil skirt underneath her as she did. Which she was technically on her weekend time, there were still students around the village that she could run into. Wouldn't do to be too casual.

Especially as a first-year teacher, her mind intoned quietly. In a few years, with more experience, she could probably relax a bit. But even after her success at the Academy, and her prowess in the field, she still had a ways to go to prove herself in this new position.

But that was enough thinking on work for one day, she chided herself, trying to relax the tension running through her body. In truth, Teagan felt a bit anxious to see her friend again after so long. Sure, she and Mycroft had written letters on and off over the last year and a half. But there hadn't been much time for visits, what with her new job, and his work with the ministry.

It was chance, really, that they'd both been available for their long-standing agreement to spend Valentine's Day together, should they find themselves without someone to celebrate with. Not that either of them usually did much celebrating.

When someone came to the table she ordered a pint or whatever the man recommended, not really picky when it came to beer. A few minutes later and she was sipping at a Pale Ale with hints of berries. Some kind of holiday mix. She let her mind wander as her eyes moved to the snow outside the window next to their table.

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Fri Apr 27 2018, 22:25

Mycroft was ever rarely excited. It was not in mood range as it were. As a young child, being intelligent and pragmatic was what they wanted more than a child. And so he became another parent on the household. No time for silly games or even sentiment. Yet he couldn’t help but have a small tell of his excitement. His fingers played music as he left his office. He always tended to have piano notes to pay when it came to sentiment. And sentiment always came when it dealt with Teagan.

Teagan was the enigma and constant being in his life. She came along in an interesting time; adolescence. She was brilliant, lovely, and delightfully forbidden. That had been their initial attraction. Soon enough that died out as all things did. He was blamed for being uncaring or uninterested in the pair. So they ended. It was for the best yet their friendship grew from a frivolous emotional tie, to a genuine long lasting one.

Today, has it been a day with anyone else (aside from his family) it would have been a travesty. Valentine’s Day was a day to of desperation and social pressure. Neither pair had been fond of it so they decided to make it a joke. Every year they would meet at their same old “hang out” spot and catch up with one another. It was a simple tradition that was only broken should another have a “person”. It seemed that in the New year that was not the case.

So as the clock struck, he found himself murmuring some goodbyes as he headed to their meeting place. He knew she would not overthink his suit. He always wore a suit especially if in the office prior to any meeting. But as he pushed the door open of their dingy meeting location, he found himself smiling at the vision before him.
Little has changed with her, at least visually. But he has to admit it was hard not to see the awkward teen under earth the new graceful creature that sat waiting for him.

“Same Booth?” Was his way of greeting with a kiss to her cheek.

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Fri Apr 27 2018, 23:22

Lost in a daydream of sorts, mostly memories of past visits to this very spot, Teagan barely caught sight of Mycroft before he was at their table and leaning down to place a quick peck on her cheek in greeting. She smiled brightly at him, her worry at so long apart dissipating in an instant.

A soft laugh escaped her at his words. "Well it just wouldn't be right to change things up now, would it?" She caught the eye of the waiter/bartender who seemed to be the only man working today. Most people out celebrating would be at Puddifoot's, or at least the more acceptable Three Broomsticks. No, the Hog's Head wasn't really seen as 'romantic'. All the better for them.

Her eyes scanned her old friend as he joined her at the table, noting his much more 'adult' attire. A soft shake of her head sent Teagan's loose dark waves moving softly back and forth. "Still weird seeing you all 'proper'. I mean, I know you're at the Ministry and all that, but..." she shrugged gently, at a loss of words.

In truth, there was no other way Mycroft would have gone after Hogwarts. His family was one of those that was set in their path, with him being the heir. Growing up in the Halfblood district, Teagan was well aware of their odd way of life. It didn't mean she had to agree with it.

She took another drink, enjoying the taste without any desire to get drunk really. "Speaking of, how's that going?"

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Fri Apr 27 2018, 23:46

If he was perfectly honest, it was incredibly weird to speak to the woman in front of her as adults. It seemed silly for them to be formal, but as the years progressed their interactions had unfortunately lessened. It was all for good reason: work, travel, a toy (more in her case than his). They were young adolescent people hoping to strive in a world that had already created their destiny. And his own was a simple one: politics.

Ever since he was young, Mycroft wanted to be a potioneer. His gift was one that came naturally. It was his calling, his passion and his talent. Yet it was clear that teaching was beneath a person such as he. He was meant to go into politics, and worm his way into the inner sanctum of the ones that made decisions. But the older he was getting the more he realized it was a tough sell to be within that group, and yet have to be forced to hear the atrocious things that were said about people that were as lovely as the one sitting across from him.

"My career? No real complaints, mostly working on some policies and other addendums that I won't bother you with." He waved his hand as if he was pushing those thoughts away. "It's as boring as you could imagine."

Leaning forward he snatched her drink and took a long sip before signaling the bartender to properly bring another round of whatever this was.

"Now, I'm more interested in knowing why you of all people decided to settle down as a professor of all things. For some reason I imagined you out in the world getting into trouble."

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Sat Apr 28 2018, 00:11

Honestly, it did sound a bit boring to Teagan. Not that she wasn't interested in hearing about what Mycroft did in his life, because she really did want to know about what was going on with one of...well actually, her closest friend. They may have struggled in the recent years to stay close, but she'd never doubted they'd find time to get back into the swing of contact once their respective lives settled down.

She let him change the subject easily when it was clear he didn't want to continue. "Hey!" she exclaimed quietly as he grabbed her drink from where it sat in front of her. She muttered a playful, "Thief," as she saw him order another round. At least she'd get more, because the odd brew was actually rather good.

While she was fine with Mycroft dropping her topic, his new one had Teagan back on edge. For a moment, she was torn between venting the troubles of the last year to him or just giving the usual story.

A purse of her lips as she steeled her nerve had her choosing the latter. "I got into my fair share of trouble the last few years, Myce. That German music box I wrote to you about was a nasty piece of work." And it had been. One of their team lost his hearing for six months after being the first to play it. They'd eventually had to submerge it in a vat of a new potion she'd mixed together before the curse would falter even bit.

Trying to keep her mood light, she couldn't help her eyes drifting down into her glass, almost empty, rather than meeting his gaze. "And teachings actually kind of fun." It wasn't a complete lie. "The kids are a weird bunch, and it's fun to keep them on their toes."

Teagan missed her time outdoors, though.

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Sat Apr 28 2018, 00:32

Mycroft's eyes brightened as they played their classic game. It was not out of the norm for him to pick from her plate or drink. It was natural for them to do so. He was sure in believing that the reason that they stayed in contact. It was not their history, (he had been known to forget those people that had been in his past), but rather that they fit, it was as simple as that.

But as their conversation shifted the spotlight to her, he found himself frowning. It had seemed odd in the letters that she had decided to up and leave her adventuring when she had gone on and on about how she was meant for something biggeAnd if he would be a bit sentimental, that was a reason he did not put 'effort' in them. For what was the use of getting too close if she was going to leave? He was never meant to leave England, his roots cemented him here. But he knew she was meant for something bigger, greater and a life filled with danger.

"Trading artifacts for children, I would have never thought of it" he leaned back in surprise. "What kind of professor are you? Kind? Frightening? I always saw you as a frightening one" he grinned a bit teasingly her way.

Yet part of him was jealous. He had been the one that wanted to be a professor. He wanted to teach potions and live at Hogwarts, away from politics. But that was not how life was supposed to be it seemed.

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Sat Apr 28 2018, 00:59

A gentle ache made itself known inside Teagan's chest. It was present whenever she thought back on her time traveling. There were struggles, yes. Like learning to bathe in a cold river if you wanted something better than the usual Scourgify. But there were also amazing things. Nightly campfires, many filled with song. The crazy meals that Daniel cooked up with whatever they had on them. Even when her fling with Zachary had ended, there'd been no hard feelings as he found work elsewhere.

All in all, she'd found a strange sense of home without having an actual location to tie it to. And while she enjoyed the castle and all the good years it had given her, there was something a bit too...predictable there. Even the children, as ever changing as they were, were an easy task in comparison.

"Oh, I give 'em hell, to be sure," she smirked. Another long drink chased away some of the lingering homesickness. "I've got a few of the seventh years that think they can bat their eyes and I'll give them an 'O'." She sent a suggestive wink at Mycroft, the innuendo fully intended. Teenage boys really were disgusting sometimes.

Voices drifted towards their corner as a small group of teachers entered the pub and sat in another area, not even seeing them. Her colleagues were friendly enough, a few even having taught her a decade ago. But she hadn't made as much of an effort to become part of the group as she could have.

She tried to make the best of it. "It's kinda nice being able to sleep in a bed every night, though. And the house-elves make the best meals, as you can recall."

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Sat May 05 2018, 19:49

It was nice to see that despite their aging, nothing substantial changed between the two. She still refused to take crap from anyone, and he, well he still listened to her and admired her tenacity. It was nice to see some stability in a girl like her; he often times worried that her traveling from one place to another was a simple escape. But now she had set some roots, and as selfish as he was, he hope she could be happy.

"Remember Rowen Croft? She was the one that everyone loved from school" he pretended to fawn over the memory of the young professor they had experienced as teens. He remembered clearly that she was a pretty face, but not much to actually teach, which seemed fine for everyone who took her. "But seriously, hex whoever tries to get handsy, but try not to kill anyone"

As voices came through the pub he noticed professors old and new faces that sat together. Briefly his eyes turned from them towards his friend and he wondered just how lonely it was for her. He reached out to grab her hand and gave a squeeze.

"They're treating you alright?"

It was natural for him to be protective, but it was a serious thing when he asked. He wasn't buying that everything was perfect, but she would talk in her own time.

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Sat May 05 2018, 20:23

An easy laugh escaped Teagan at the memory of Professor Croft. She'd come on to staff in their third year, taking up Care of Magical Creatures for a few years. With beautiful, flowing blonde hair and curves in all the right places, it was no surprise that all the males around her were practically drooling. Adult and adolescents alike. Teagan didn't know how long after they'd graduated that she'd left Hogwarts, but she wasn't there when Teagan got the job.

"I remember a certain someone waxing poetic about her when we smuggled in a few bottles of Firewhiskey sixth year." Her smile was genuine. "I swear you wanted to marry the witch or something."

Mycroft's small token of advice was appreciated, if not necessary. Lifting her pint, she tilted it to acknowledge what he'd said. None of them had dared lay a hand on her in any way, that much she was thankful for. If only because she didn't want to fill out the paperwork for harming an underage wizard, more like with a physical blow than a magical one. She may be petite in stature, but the men she'd worked with abroad had taught her enough to protect herself without her wand.

She was surprised when she felt Mycroft's hand on her own, her eyes softening at his concerned tone. She tightened her hold on his hand in return in thanks.

"You'd think we never left, Myce. The castle hasn't changed a bit, just the faces." It was true. While her perspective was different, now being a professor, the halls were filled with the same sounds. The library and the grounds hadn't changed. Quidditch was still all the rage, and students were as self-centered as they'd always been.

Her mind was losing focus though, knowing he'd seen the small group. "The others are okay. They have their own routines and people they hang around." Maybe if she actually tried to spend time with them it would be different.

"I do miss having my best friend there though," she grinned.

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Sat May 05 2018, 21:08

Mycroft felt his lip twitch at the memory of his drunken stupor. He rarely drank; especially when young because he tended to get sentimental. And if he was honest, Ms. Croft was a teenage fantasy for him as a young teen. She was soft spoken, kind, and had a love of animals. It helped that she was gorgeous, else her stupidity would have made him cross.

"Ah yes, to be young again" he pretended to swoon a bit.

But this wasn't the time to be nostalgic, this was the time to him to actually be a good friend and be there for her. Before, he knows she always out more effort of the two and while he could never make her any solid promises, the idea of her being upset, hurt him more than he cared to admit.

But it seemed a bit clearer now that while she did enjoy Hogwarts, she was not as happy as she could be. This was not what she wanted to do; he remembered her dreams of traveling and curse breaking. And to now see her go into a proper routine...well it seemed forced.

"Hey" he said softly making sure to make eye contact with her. "This might be hypocritical, but try to be nice to them. Just find someone there that you can stand. Now that you're back...I can be there for you when you need me. I would be happy to do that"

The moment was quickly ended once the waiter came with their drinks and food. He didn't remember ever ordering, but if he was honest, nothing was ever truly delicious in this place. They didn't come for the food, they came for the memories.

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Sat May 05 2018, 21:51

Teagan had to bite back a laugh that may have come off too harsh. Mycroft Holmes, known for his icy cold demeanor even when they were younger, was telling her to be nice. She remembered clearly having to tell him the same thing too many times, whenever a stupid first-year got in his way, or his sister did something that annoyed him.

"You're one to talk, Ice Man," she ribbed at him playfully. How she'd broken through his tough exterior all those years ago was still a shock. But she had, and she'd been glad of that ever since. Even after he'd made it clear they only had a future as friends.

Thinking through the list of her colleagues, considering who she could maybe engage in conversation with next meeting, her brows rose at his next words.

They'd spent the last eight years with an understanding that theirs was a 'distant' friendship. Sure, they would plan get-togethers, and owl when they could. They sent gifts on birthdays and holidays, and cared enough about each other to lend an ear and support. But Teagan had learned at Hogwarts that Mycroft's life and her own would take them on very different paths. And she'd learned to accept that.

But now...now that she was tied down into once place, he suddenly was offering her something closer to normal? Part of her was elated at the possibilities of having someone close by that she'd known for so long. She couldn't help the small part of her, though, that felt a tad bitter. It took her losing her dream for him to offer?

She was rational enough to know that wasn't what was happening. As food was delivered - she'd ordered fish and chips for the pair, figuring it was an old standard - she stuffed her feelings into a tiny box to examine later.

Thankful for the momentary distraction, she dug into the still hot, greasy food. "I'd like that." Her gaze drifted out the window as she chewed in thought, wondering what that kind of life would be like. Would they have standing lunches? Hang outs at his place? She wasn't really sure the rules about visitors at the castle. There hadn't been a reason to really ask until now.

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Sat May 05 2018, 22:24

If he were to have told his past self that this would be occurring and he was promising to be there for someone else, Mycroft would have scoffed. He knew all his flaws, and he knew the one that frustrated people was the fact that he was not emotionally mature. How many times had he been yelled at by his siblings that he was 'so smart intellectually, but an overgrown prat when it came to emotions'? It seemed easy to rationalize everything, too easy, so perhaps that's why he lacked proper emotional capacity for a long time.

But Teagan was the exception..for the most part. Yes they had ended because of his lack of emotional development, but they remained amicable, both allowing one another to grow and later on come back. It seemed simple enough, easier to be a friend and not let themselves muddy their emotional connection.

If someone were to ask if he loved the witch in front of him..well he supposed he did. Because even as she allowed herself to dig into her fish and chips (and burn herself every time), the quirk, her self deprecating smile as she caught him staring was enough to say that..yes. Yes in the sense that she was as close to loving as he could get. Both were far too different to allow themselves to dive back into the messiness of it all, but it was nice.

Both fell into a silence, he picked at the chips half heartedly, not willing to admit that greasy food no longer agreed with his stomach. He often times wondered how was it that he looked into the mirror one day to find himself already being an adult. It was frightening because of how much time had been lost. These were the thoughts that briefly bothered him, so much so that the silence loomed over the pair longer than appropriate.

Subject: Re: Long Time No See (Mycroft) Sat May 05 2018, 23:15

Maybe Mycroft was right, Teagan thought. She was here now, at a place in life where she had stability and a relatively foreseeable future. There was no reason she shouldn't try to make friends with her colleagues at the school. Besides, unless something happened to change her circumstances, people usually stayed on this career path for the rest of their lives.

Would she want to be a teacher forever? She didn't really know the answer for that. She hadn't even planned on being one in the first place, but her application at the Ministry to be a Curse-breaker had been denied. And they weren't the type of establishment to give reasons or change their mind. She'd have to learn to live with her life as it was now.

Stable. Structured. Secure.

If she'd told herself a year ago that this was where she was headed, Teagan would have run the exact opposite way. But looking across the table, she wondered if it would really be so bad. If Mycroft was being honest with his offer, she may be gaining something she hadn't realized she'd wanted: a closer friendship with him.

They were an odd pair, or at least they used to be. But she cared for him like no other. One time, when they were young, she wanted it to be more. That was shut down, though. And she never tried to open the door again. Not with how much it hurt the first time. No, she was glad to have him as he was.

And she'd be happy to see him more now. Maybe this new life wouldn't be so bad.

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