Augustus Rookwood (strategic_rook) wrote in an_ill_wind, @ 2009-07-01 03:15:00 |
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Entry tags: | - 1980/06 june, augustus rookwood, orsino avery |
Who: Orsino Avery and Augustus Rookwood
When: [Backdated] Monday 29 June
What: Discussions and a Toast
Where: Rookwood Manor
Rating: Low
Status: Complete
It was nearing six o'clock, and Augustus knew Orsino should be about ready to head out of the Ministry for the day. He'd meant to send him a message, but in the mess with the Black brat apparently having their identities, he hadn't followed through. He did know, however, that Orsino would be available, and so he made his way to his office, saying a few goodbyes to people he mostly despised along the way. When he reached Orsino's office he knocked lightly before stepping inside, a bit relieved to see the other man. "Got a minute? Or an hour, really?"
Orsino had finished yet another long day and was ready to go home where a glass of scotch had his name all over it. He was organising his files and looking over some last minute things when he heard a knock at his door. It was probably that idiot intern again. However, when he looked up, he was relieved to see that it was Augustus instead. "An hour? I hope you're not in a bind of any sort," he commented, never expecting Augustus to visit him at his office like this looking this serious.
Despite the bind they were in, Augustus managed a wry smile of sorts, shaking his head once. "No, not a bind. Or at least I didn't come with the intention of discussing our latest issue," he said delicately, knowing the Minsitry was the last sort of place fo that discussion. "I've a bottle of your favourite scotch, if you'd like. And my manor would be a more fitting place to speak."
Orsino knew he couldn't express his anger towards the situation with words, so instead he slammed his desk drawer closed. "Mhm," was all he could muster as he packed some files that he was currently working on. "A bottle sounds much better than just a glass," he said as he stepped across his office to pulled his robe from a small closet. "Anywhere but here."
"Indeed," Augustus said dryly, watching Orsino collect his robes. "We can floo into my drawing room," he said, once they were ready to leave, and he fell into step beside the other man as they made their way to the lift that would take them to the busy floo. "I rather thought the occassion called for it," he said, as they crossed the room to the fireplaces. "I will see you shortly." With a nod he stepped into the floo line and when it was his turn he flooed back to the manor, brushing his robes off as he stepped into his drawing room.
After gathering his things Orsino followed the other man into the lift and didn't bother to give anyone else a second glance. Not even where he worked was safe anymore and this was bothering him. He had spent the entire day not thinking about it and all of the sudden, Augustus only mentioned it in passing and suddenly he was on edge. "Some occasion," he mocked as they stepped out of the lift and to the fireplaces. He gave the man a curt nod and fell into line himself. When it was his turn, he stepped in and flooed into the drawing room at Augustus' manor just minutes later. He dusted himself off and stepped further into the room.
By the time Orsino arrived, Augustus had already poured two generous glasses of the expensive scotch, both of which were waiting on a small table between two large, rather ornate armchairs. They'd sat there a hundred times before, discussing various issues, although Augustus could not remember a day when they had such drastically different issues to discuss. "My apologies for the last minute notice," he said, picking up the two glasses so he could hand one to Orsino before sitting. "To say I've not been focused much lately would be an understatement."
Orsino took the glass from Augustus and slipped his free hand into his pocket as he stood there. "It wasn't as though I had things to do at home. It's just me and Lavinia. We'll do the same thing tonight as we do everynight," he said rather dryly. Life had become quite monotonous at home these last few years. This was an unexpected yet welcoming surprise for him. "What do you make of this issue with Sirius Black?" He asked the other man curiously, assuming that was why he was here this evening.
Augustus look far from pleased at the mention of Black, and he swilled his drink around in its glass for a moment. "Bellatrix does have a point," he admitted, "that the boy's rantings could be taken as such, should be go public with his information. He's an unstable thing, and it's well known that he despises his family and, really, most pureblood members of society. It would not be too difficult, to discredit him. If he goes to Dumbledore, however, then we are faced with a far more serious issue."
"Why not send one of the younger members out to kill him?" Orsino asked rather nonchalantly. He had learned that the easiest way to get rid of a problem was to very simply, kill them. "I'm sure one of them will jump at the opportunity to prove himself," he added before taking a sip of his drink. He looked into his glass and nodded in approval. "What year is this?"
"We can," Augustus agreed, providing the resistance doesn't have him holed away somewhere like a frightened animal. Although if they could find him, then that is an excellent idea." They did have many younger members at their disposal, who were only more than happy to prove themselves. "At the very least, many of us are in such good standing in society that it would not, hopefully, be too much of an issue to claim that the allegations are nothing but a terrible mistake."
"A mistake. Perhaps it's not such a bad idea to claim that Sirius Black is indeed looking for some way to rebel against his family once again. However, we cannot afford to have this information reach the public," Orsino said as he made his way on over to the armchair and sat down. The familiar cushions were plush and comforting and they almost made things seem better. Almost.
"I agree." Augustus knew full well just how much so many of them stood to lose; their numbers in the Ministry were impressive, and they could not lose that. They had worked far too hard, done far too much, for it all to come crashing down at the hands of a brat who should have been a member of their cause in the first place. How horrified Walburga must be. "Hopefully it will not come to that point, though we must be prepared to handle it properly. And it is a '60," he added, catching Orsino's earlier question.
You know as well as I do that the name Black carries a significant amount of weight. It is a name of supremacy, especially amongst purebloods... It must be devasting for them to have a family member of their own disgrace them this way," Orsino said disappointedly, shaking his head slowly. He did have issues with his own son, but at least Christian was not a bloodtraitor. "It will be tough for their family, but perhaps their best solution is to rid themselves of that little disease." He held his glass up to look a the liquid inside then smelled it. "Sixty! That is an excellent year, Augustus. What seems to be the occasion? Because I know you wouldn't open such a bottle for me."
"It is almost a blessing, that Orion has passed; this alone would have been enough to send him to his grave." It was an unpleasant reality that their friend had passed before his time, but at least he did not have to see the staggering amount of messes his son had created in that time. He looked amused, however, when Orsino brought up the whiskey once more, knowing there was no use harping on what they could not work on, right now. And he had wanted to speak to Orsino about another matter entirely - a more pleasing one. "I know you've read the Prophet, but I wanted to speak to you in person about the matter at hand - my engagement to Rosalind."
Orsino had nearly forgot about that bit of news. It wasn't until now that he remembered his wife showing him the blurb in the Prophet. "That's right," he said with a slight smile. "A congratulations is in order," he added as held up his drink in a toast to Augustus. "When Lavinia saw the headline, she was thrilled for you both."
Augustus smiled back, raising his glass back. "Thank you," he said warmly. "And please tell Lavinia I thank her, as well. I realise this engagement is... unexpected and unorthodox, perhaps, but it is a fitting one. I need an heir, and she is young and willing, and it helps that I am fond of her."
"I am glad you brought up her age first," Orsino said with a sarcastic smile. "But if you say you need an heir then a young pureblood is your best chance at having one." Of course, had Augustus married years ago, age and heirs would not be an issue. "Then again, it is about time you settled down. I had begun to think you would never marry," he joked as he sat back in his chair and crossed one leg over the other. "At least you're fond of her. Should make for a more tolerable wedding night."
"I had quite considered the possibility of remaining a bachelor forever," Augustus replied dryly. He worked well on his own, and after so many years of working and living and being on his own terms, it was a little jolting for it to be changing. But he needed an heir, and he did like the idea of being with someone he actually enjoyed spending time with, and that culminated in Rosalind. "She is very understanding, for someone so young," he added. "Her position within the Aurors is just as trying as much own. And, indeed, as yours." They all wore masks, both literal and figurative, these days. He laughed a little at the mention of a tolerable wedding night, and raised his glass in a small toast of his own before taking a sip. "Indeed, it should be an enjoyable night. Not that I have any idea how to be supportive or... dare I say caring, in a situation like that, but we shall see."
"You should have married and produced an heir years ago. Who knows, Davina could have ended up a Rookwood instead of a Parkinson." Orsino laughed at the very idea and took another sip of his drink. There was nothing wrong with his son-in-law, but it would have amusing had their kids married each other, if Augustus had any. Orsino made a face at the idea of being caring during the wedding night. "If she's smart, she'll know her place and not expect anything more from you after it is all done."
Augustus shook his head, amused. "I'm never one for the conventional life though, am I?" he asked, trying - and failing - to picture himself with an heir Davina's age. It was too odd a notion, for him. He sipped at his scotch as Orsino continued, making a noise of amusement at his mention of Rosalind knowing her place. "She is... not quite the type to be satisfied with the role of a traditional wife; I believe it is one of the reasons I grew fond of her to begin with."
"She is from another generation, Augustus. These woman are becoming more and more independent with each passing year and it makes me wonder," Orsino admitted quite honestly. Lavinia was the wife he had expected to have -- she stayed at home, gave him two children, took care of the house and never bothered with his matters of work or the Death Eaters. "But, to each their own and if that is what draws you to her, then I am happy for you," he said with a genuine smile.
Augustus was pleased to have Orsino's approval, even if he didn't quite understand, and that was good enouh for him. "Thank you, Orsino," he said, sounding as pleased as he looked. "I'm very happy you accept this. I was hoping you would, not only as you are my closest friend, but because I was hoping you would stand with me, at our wedding." He inclined his head a bit, gazing at the other man.
Before Orsino gave his answer, he took another sip of his drink and swallowed the liquid hard. It would be an honor to stand wtih Augustus, but wasn't he a little old for this? "Of course," he finally answered. "Name the day and time and I'll be there. I won't be able to throw you any sort of stag party, however."
"Thank you," Augustus replied, sounding both grateful and relieved. Orsino may have been his closest friend, but hehadn't been entirely sure how willing he was going to be, to stand beside him. "The first of August - we have not yet decided on a time, although I believe it will be midday. And worry not," he added, very nearly snickering in amusement, "there will be no 'bucks night' for me."
Orsino laughed at the idea, not having gone to a bucks night in some number of years now. "I will be there for you, Augustus. I am grateful that you will not need some sort of bachelor party..." he trailed, still laughing slightly at the thought. He finished off his drink and set the glass down on the table beside him. "You've been a bachelor for a long time now. Are you sure you are ready to let that go?"
"Not entirely, no," Augustus admitted, although he was finding it rather difficult to be concerned with that at the moment. "I've spent this long on my own that it will certainly take some getting used to, but it's high time I stopped living the life of a twenty year-old man, isn it not?
Orsino was glad to have a conversation that wasn't about Sirius Black and the trouble they were currenlty in. He would be forced to take greater precautions at work now because of that bloodtraitor. "Better late than never I suppose," he said with a grin as he clasp his hands together in his lap. He wouldn't bother asking about the details of the wedding, sure that Augustus didn't bother with such trivial things. Besides, that was mostly a woman's job; they enjoyed it far more than any man would ever would. "I will at least buy you a drink before the wedding..."
"My thanks," Augustus replied with a grin. He was relieved to have Orsino's approval, and while he didn't say as much, it was apparent in the way he relaxed back in his chair and savoured a sip of his scotch. "It is nice," he continued after a moment, "to know I will have an heir. I never intended to wait this long, really, but what's done is done."
"It happens when it happens, Augustus. There is no rush in this and trust me, marriage is not something you want to jump right into. If I had my way, I would not have married so young," Orsino admitted. His marriage was arranged by his parents and Lavinia's parents. Neither one of them had a say in who they'd married or when. Things just happened to fall into place at the right time for each of their families and they were the lucky two. "Now just so happens to be the right time for you," he added with a shrug.
Augustus was rushing into it, but he was hardly getting any younger; while he had not felt the need for an heir when he was twenty or thirty, he did like the idea of being coherent and mobile, in order to train his eventual son. It would be particularlty beneficial, really. "It does seem to be the right time," he agreed, nodding slowly. "You know as well as I that when I feel something is right - in my personal life, that is - I do not like the idea of waiting long to make it mine."
"I do know you, that is why I am partly not surprised by this engagement coming so late for you," Orsino replied rather quickly. "So long as you have a son, see to it that he raised properly and does not disgrace your name and become someone like Sirius Black, then all should be well." Clearly the young Black was plaguing his mind so much so that he would bring him up in casual conversation. Orsino was never one to show his emotion, whatever it may be, but it always seemed to make itself present through his words. Just then he check his watch and noticed how late it had suddenly become. "Lavinia is probably waiting for me... Salazaar knows the woman cannot sit down to a meal without me," he said with a roll of his eyes.
Augustus arched a brow when Orsino brought up the Black boy yet again, knowing just how agitated the other man must be by all of this (and how could he not?) but he didn't comment, instead nodding once more at the mention of Lavinia. "Of course, of course," he said, and after one last sip he stood from his chair, setting his glass down.
Orsino was reluctant to leave; the times they'd spent just sitting around reminded him of when they were younger and how much easier life was. Now they had so much responsibility to take on. "I thank you for the drink. Next time it's on me," he said with a smile as he held out his hand to the other man.
"Of course," Augustus replied warmly, a grin still in palce as he shook Orsino's hand briefly but firmly. "And I fully intend to take you up on that offer next time. Do give Lavinia my greetings, and that I hope she's well."
"When have you ever declined a drink?" Orsino joked, laughing slightly as he shook the man's hand wit the same firm grip. He picked up his things and began to make his way towards the fireplace again. "I will be sure to tell her and please give our congratulations to Rosalind as well," he added before stepping in. With one last final nod, he dropped the floo powder and quickly vanished.