InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "i own everything!"

Seamus Finnigan (openbottle) wrote in finnigans_rpg,
@ 2015-05-29 12:13:00

Entry tags:

character: draco malfoy, character: seamus finnigan

Sore Loser?
Who: Seamus and Draco
What: Checking in
Where: The Roost
When: Post chess match, Thursday 29th May [backdated]
Rating: SFW for now

It had been a good match. Mrs McHavelock wasn't the most popular of Finnigan's customers, but she was a good chess player — and arrogant with it. Despite being a long-term resident of Monument (formerly Knockturn) Alley, her feelings about Death Eaters were painfully public and facing Draco Malfoy in her second match of the season obviously hadn't pleased her much. She'd played fiercely, sacrificing pawns left, right and centre trying to get to Draco's king. The spectators had enjoyed themselves, though they'd been quieter than usual. Perhaps they shared some of Seamus's ambivalence - not certain who to cheer for.

Seamus had more reason than some to feel conflicted about Draco. Though he hadn't been there, he knew enough to know that some of Dean's worst memories had been formed in Draco's home. On the other hand, it hadn't escaped his knowledge that Draco had had opportunities to do harm and hadn't. Either way, Finnigan's was supposed to be a place for anyone - so long as their intentions were good - and Seamus tried to put his personal feelings aside as he crossed the room to where Draco was standing. "Bad luck," he said. He really hoped Draco wasn't going to kick up a fuss about losing - Seamus could remember the Buckbeak incident in third year only too well. "Did you enjoy the game, at least?"

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the_draco
2015-05-29 02:16 pm UTC (link)

It had been a good game and Draco had enjoyed it, he'd mostly ignored the crowd he wasn't concerned who they were rooting for he just wanted to play. He'd been defeated but it had been well done and he couldn't deny the older woman was good. He had known a few moves before the end that he was done for but he'd done what he could to ensure he wasn't completely thrashed.

Standing to one side with a drink he watched the people around him, there had been less confrontation than he had thought there would be. So far anyway and people seemed to leave him alone which was fine with Draco, much better than the alternative. When Seamus came over he nodded, "Thanks. It was a good game. I definitely won't underestimate her again that's for sure" he said evenly. Suspecting Seamus and possibly a few others had expected fireworks.

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openbottle
2015-05-29 04:17 pm UTC (link)

Seamus nodded his approval of not underestimating one's opponents - as well as mentally approving of Draco's sensible attitude. He'd always said that the war had changed all of them, that they'd all grown up from the attitudes that had caused so much friction between Gryffindor and Slytherin. It was nice to be proved right, even if it was just in a small way. "Well, you won't have to face her again for a while," he said. "Plenty of other members to play first - that's how we're working the championship this time. Everyone plays everyone and then..." Well, then Seamus wasn't quite sure what was going to happen. Either there'd be a clear winner or he'd have to arrange some further rounds.

He opened the non-magical notebook that was a permanent fixture in his hands during chess club (unless he were playing himself) and flicked through it to see who Draco was likely to face next. "Hyperion Montgomery's your next game," he said. "He lost to Millicent in the last round, and he's playing Charlie in a couple of weeks if you want to come along and see what his style's like." Only the raw 'number of wins' data was visible on the club wall, though Seamus was willing to share further details if asked. He usually owled people before their scheduled matches to make sure they were coming.

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the_draco
2015-05-29 05:37 pm UTC (link)

The war had definitely changed them, a lot of Draco's attitudes had changed as a result and he had matured enough to be ashamed of some of the things he had done. He was no longer held back by the need to impress his parents, his mother loved him no matter what and he had lost a lot of respect for his father. He was more cowardly than Draco had realised while he'd been growing up. "Well that's good to know, I'm sure she'll be pleased too" he said cracking a small smile as he nodded in understanding.

"It's a good idea. I'll be sure to catch the game" Draco said, taking a sip of his drink before adding, "It's a great set up you have going on here"

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openbottle
2015-05-30 08:58 am UTC (link)

Seamus gave a genuine smile at Draco's praise. The fact that it was coming from an unexpected source only made it better in his eyes. His friends were always going to be complimentary, because they loved him and wanted him to do well. That someone he'd always had tension with in school to say he was doing alright meant it was probably true. "Thanks," he said, not sure if Draco meant just the chess or the pub in general. "It took a while to get going - but we've got enough members now that I thought we ought to have a proper tournament."

People were still milling around, though the match was over, and Seamus watched a few of the weaker members, the ones he'd taught to play himself and quite recently. "I just hope the people who end up at the bottom of the leader board don't feel discouraged."

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the_draco
2015-05-30 10:16 pm UTC (link)

Draco wasn't in the habit of lying to make people feel better or worse about themselves, he generally told the truth - or at least the truth as he saw it. No doubt others may not agree. He definitely meant it about the whole pub in general. "I'm in agreement there, it's the logical progression of any club I would think" Draco said, mulling over the last observation.

"I can't imagine they would. If anything it may give them something to aim for next time, beating their original position I mean"

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openbottle
2015-06-01 08:06 am UTC (link)

"I hope that's what it does," Seamus said. It was something he worried about - but then, Seamus was rarely free of worries when it came to his pub. It was going well, a success, had improved and increased since it had opened, but Seamus was a perfectionist. He didn't have much Slytherin ambition in him, but what he had seemed to find an outlet in this area of his life. "If not, Ron's set up a more casual club that they might prefer."

Now that he was over here, and satisfied that Draco wasn't going to kick off, it felt rude to just walk away. Seamus cast around for a topic of conversation, the silence stretching awkwardly for just a fraction too long. "How's the shop going?" he asked at last. "Have you got it open yet?"

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the_draco
2015-06-01 12:15 pm UTC (link)

"That might be a good idea too. Casual club until they feel they're ready for tournaments" as much as he didn't want to admit it if anybody could get them ready for competition it would be Weasley, he was talented in chess. Not that Draco would say that out loud. He hadn't had a personality transplant - there were some people he'd never get along with.

"Yeah actually, a couple of weeks now. Thanks to some great work by Dominic Chambers" Draco nodded, "It's looking great. Doing better than I'd thought too" People weren't avoiding it just because he owned it which had been surprising.

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openbottle
2015-06-02 02:01 pm UTC (link)

Seamus nodded. "I went to the first meeting, but Sunday's already pretty busy for me so I haven't been to many since then." He should ask Ron for an update on members, whether there were any novices who were attending casual club but not tournaments. It would be, if nothing else, reassuring somehow.

Grinning at the mention of his good friend, Seamus immediately agreed. "Dominic is amazing. I couldn't have set this place up without him, not the way I wanted it to be." Dominic had mentioned doing work for Malfoy, and that he'd expressed interest in chess, so Seamus had been forewarned of his arrival. "We've got a weekly meeting for local businesses as well," he added. "Most people don't come every week, but if you need a recommendation or you've got a problem, it can be helpful."

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the_draco
2015-06-03 10:32 am UTC (link)

Draco nodded, he'd have been tempted to go along and see for himself but he'd not encountered any of the trio yet and didn't particularly want to so he'd be steering clear of that. Some things were not meant to happen and Draco accepted that. Happily in some cases.

"He used this place as a kind of live action portfolio" Draco said, "He does incredible work" he agreed. "Thanks for the info. That might be really helpful" Draco needed to make connections with the other businesses around and that seemed a good way to do it.

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openbottle
2015-06-04 11:44 am UTC (link)

Hearing about Dominic using the pub as a portfolio didn't surprise Seamus at all. "Maybe he did, but he also told you about chess club, didn't he? So next time when you come by and order a drink after, I'll have a new customer. It's mutually beneficial." Sometimes Seamus wondered if his pub would run as well as it did without his friends involvement. Dominic's skills, obviously, Dean's help behind the bar, Oliver Wood's publicity. If Seamus had started it completely alone, would he have made a go of it? "It takes a village, or something," he added, somewhat cryptically to anyone who hadn't been privy to his thought process.

"Speaking of drinks," he said, "it looks like you're about done with that." He nodded to the glass in Draco's hand. "Want another?"

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the_draco
2015-06-05 07:03 pm UTC (link)

"Oh yeah, he said that too" Draco hadn't meant it to sound like he was disapproving or anything. He rather liked that he'd used to pub as a living portfolio, it was the best way to show off his work. "About the community feel to the place" Before simply smiling when Seamus almost spoke to himself for a moment.

"Uh yeah sure. Thanks" he nodded, finishing off the one he was holding.

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