Archie wiped the bar counter down as Rosmerta collected the last of the glasses. May seemed a long time ago, the Battle of Hogwarts had taken a lot from everyone. People had lost friends, loved ones, family members and even months later it was taking time to repair and rebuild Hogsmeade and Hogwarts (and their surroundings) - even with magic.
Archie sighed and rubbed his forehead, just above the scar that now sported his right eyebrow.
"Go home, I'll finish up," Rosmerta said as she put the glasses behind the bar.
"You sure?"
"Yes. Go. I will not have you passing out in my pub," she shot back.
He quirked a smile before nodding and heading for the door, after grabbing his coat. The snow fell outside, the streets covered and Christmas lights twinkled from each building. It might have taken a beating several months ago but Hogsmeade wouldn't miss out on Christmas for anything.
By the time he got home, Archie was cold through. Aluko ke-wick'ed as he came in. "Hello to you too. I thought you'd be out hunting by now," he said, ruffling her feathers with two fingers. "I need something to eat myself."
A white cat with bi-coloured eyes loped at the side of a young witch, with crooked fingers. Even as she raised her gloved hand to knock on the door of someone she loved and trusted, she didn't return to her own face. This form was beautiful, sturdy, and so very much not her. She was tall and elegant, dressed in black and grey, in sturdy boots, but Archie would know right?
Archie frowned at the knock. OK, food would have to wait then. Even months on his reaction was the same, his wand dropped into his hand from his sleeve and he edged towards the door.
He opened the door, the protego charm already forming in his mind was a silent and wandless spell, just in case. His eyebrows rose silently.
"Hello. Can I help you?"
"You can put that down for a start, I'm better than I used to be Arch," Dora allowed her voice to change. Hoped it was enough, especially with Raven at her side. If it wasn't she would turn and go.
Archie almost dropped his wand and the sound of that voice. Of her voice.
"...Dora?"
"Let me in then, so I can switch properly," Dora nudged him aside.
Archie moved aside unconsciously, still in shock, unable to stop staring at her.
Dora shut her eyes. She'd stuck to this face for a while, and felt a deep affection for it, even as she allowed herself to flow back into her natural shape and face. "Better?"
Archie pushed the door closed behind him, leaning back against it for a moment. "I... I thought you were dead," he breathed out, even as he unconsciously nodded at her question.
"So did I for a bit," she shook her hair out and pulled off her gloves, her hands were smashed up, no shift could change that. She moved to touch the scar on his face. "Suits you, my love."
Archie leaned into her touch, his eyes closing briefly before her caught her hand. He gently brushed his thumb over her skin. "What happened?"
"They found out, smashed them. It took a long time before anyone to get to me, so the repair wasn't complete, and they look like this, whatever shape I'm in, and they hurt all the time."
"And they can't do anything?" Archie asked, unconsciously raising her hands to kiss her fingers without thinking.
"Took too long, I'm fine though, just a bit... more muggle I suppose," she sighed as he kissed her.
Archie frowned. "More muggle?"
"You never really expect pain like this as a witch," Dora shrugged
"No, I suppose not." Archie tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "I can't believe you're really here. It's been months since it ended."
"There was tidying to do, and I rather liked Daisy." Dora replied. "And I told you, no waiting, lots of people got rush married. It's what war does. I suppose I didn't want to know."
"Not this person," Archie said before frowning. "Daisy?"
"The girl at you door,"
"Who you were when you knocked?"
"Mmm, not a Deatheater, not an Ollivander."
"I prefer just you," Archie said, sliding his arms around her. "I missed you, Dors."
"I thought I was pretending you were waiting," Dora leaned into his chest.