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Tweak says, "gotta catch 'em all!"

Anthony Goldstein (ex_goldenrul25) wrote in pandorarpg,
@ 2011-11-26 20:39:00

Entry tags:

^date: november 04 2003, character: anthony goldstein, character: michael corner

Characters: Michael Corner and Anthony Goldstein
Setting: The Leaky Cauldron, evening
Summary: Anthony has a responsibility. Michael needs a project.
Rating: Probably work safe

The Leaky Cauldron didn't seem as crowded as usual. Perhaps it was only that it was quieter. Anthony still had to dodge a fair amount of people to reach the bar from the fireplace, but the usual commotion seemed more subdued. Perhaps people just didn't feel like celebrating. Anthony could understand that. He wasn't feeling overly jovial either.

Not that Anthony needed an excuse to visit The Leaky Cauldron. Nothing beyond the bartender, anyway. Once or twice a week, he could be found visiting Michael. He would change out of his lime green robe and spend a few hours keeping his friend company.

Anthony might not need a reason, but it just so happened that he had one. He had resolved to investigate the nightmares that had plagued so many recently. However, his job didn't allow him as much time as he would like. Asking Michael for help was a good idea. Not only would Anthony get the help he desired, but Michael would have something to do with his time. It hadn't escaped Anthony that his friend had become increasingly unhappy with his life.

Sitting down at the bar, Anthony knitted his eyebrows in mock concern. There was time enough to ask favors. First, there were rituals of friendship to be observed. Namely, taking the piss. "So, Michael. Should I be concerned about the state of my ass? Is it deteriorating? I thought yours only was only four degrees better than mine."

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mlcorner
2011-11-27 02:53 am UTC (link)

Michael was in the full swing of things at the Leaky, which was to say that he had this routine down after five long years. It wasn't that he disliked it and he obviously wasn't bad at it, but it wasn't the job he had expected to be doing at this point in his life. It certainly was not the career that his mother had in mind for him and she let him know that rather often which was why he hated going home now. If he could help it he and James would just have their family get-togethers at Michael's place and forgo the formalities altogether. He knew better than that though and it wasn't like his mum didn't have a point because Michael wasn't particularly pleased with his lot in life either. But how was he supposed to change it when he had no bloody clue what he was good at or what he even wanted to do? He wasn't Anthony, for Merlin's sake, who had his career ready at hand before he walked into Hogwarts and made it happen just as he had expected to.

Michael shrugged it from his mind and poured another drink for Jim, a regular and a former Ravenclaw who gave Michael more shite than probably anyone else who came into the pub. He'd begun to only come when Michael was on shift so he could bother him - or so he said. Michael believed he might be lonely though, since his wife had passed a year ago. He was about to strike up a meaningless conversation with the man when he saw Anthony come in and excused himself so that he might talk to his mate. Having Anthony around always made the time pass much quicker.

A smirk spread across his face at Anthony's comment and Michael took a drink of water before replying, "Four degrees, six—whose counting really?" Michael pretended to lean over the counter and check the state of Anthony's behind, which he couldn't actually see anyway. "Looks absolutely fine, mate. Nothing to worry about at all except when you're going to go out with Finch-Fletchley, you obviously charmed his socks off at the match," Michael grinned and handed Anthony his usual drink without alcohol because the bloke wouldn't drink when he was going to work the next day. Ever the responsible Anthony Goldstein.

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ex_goldenrul25
2011-11-27 04:21 am UTC (link)

"I'm not asking about Finch-Fletchley. I made it a point to avoid obviously private entries in the journals," Anthony said. The hypocrisy wasn't lost on him and he doubted Micheal would miss it either. They both knew irony when they saw it. He took a sip of the offered beverage - knowing without a glance that it would meet his approval.

"The state of Justin's socks aren't my concern. I'm concerned about the state of my ass. I can think of a dozen medical causes of muscle atrophy in the gluteal muscles. Some of them are quite serious."

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mlcorner
2011-11-27 04:46 am UTC (link)

Michael raised an eyebrow at that comment. "Really now? Is that why you didn't answer his question about house calls? It's a good thing I've no shame then so I could clear the matter up front and center, leastwise he'd be owling you everyday. I'm such a good mate, aren't I?"

Michael walked down the bar to refill another customer's drink and take the order of someone else who'd just walked in. When that was done he returned to Anthony, shaking his head. "Really Ant, if you're so worried about it it's not like you haven't got the knowledge and the colleagues to help you with it. Just ask one of the fit blokes you work with to check it for you since you're so bloody concerned.

"How long do we have to talk about the condition of your arse, anyhow? I'm quite sure there are better subjects out there. Like, how is that place you call work that others would probably refer to as prison at this point seeing how much time you spend there?"

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ex_goldenrul25
2011-11-27 03:37 pm UTC (link)

Anthony watched Michael go about his work with some amusement. He pondered the idea of Justin owling him. Justin was forward, but he hadn't been flirting. Anthony didn't think so, anyway. He was usually the last to figure these things out though. Normally, it was Michael who had to bring it to Anthony's attention. Still, Anthony was reasonably sure in this matter.

When Michael turned the subject to St Mungo's, Anthony beamed just a little. He couldn't help it. Even though it was hard work: sometimes grueling work. The hours were long, the stress was high and there was no margin of error. Anthony loved it. Besides, it really was time to stop talking about arses.

"Today was relatively calm. It was the usual runny noses, broken bones and bite marks. There was one gentlemen who manage to splinch himself around a hatstand. He didn't have any major injuries, but the treatment was complicated. Apparently, it was his favorite and we weren't allowed to damage it in removal. What about your day?"

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mlcorner
2011-11-27 06:19 pm UTC (link)

Michael cringed a little. He had been one of the few who had splinched their first week of Apparition training in sixth year and he did not relish the memory. After the first time, he never did it again because in true Michael Corner fashion, he set his mind to accomplishing the goal and did so. "That's what I need, a hat stand. My grandfather had one of those," Michael got that wistful look he always did when he was listening or telling one of the stories he'd heard from somewhere, usually from his father. Nevermind that Michael never wore hats because they would ruin his perfectly messy hair. "So saving the day one runny nose at a time, Goldstein? Glad it was you I made friends with in first year so I've always someone to patch me up. I'll need it when those other wolves finally decide to rip me apart. Still have only got one to trust me and that's only because he's a bit off. You should hear how they talk about him—wolves are as bad as teenagers!

"My day was an adventure as always, mate. Met with James for lunch; he's doing well. Says to tell you hullo. S'hoping he can move himself up in the ranks faster than anyone else has. Already got one promotion, which for three years is bloody brilliant." Michael was proud of him, there was no doubt, but he looked a bit sad when he talked about it. James had started Hit Wizard training the moment he left Hogwarts and knew his path, same as Anthony. "Bumped into Angelina Johnson while she was shopping for some Quidditch supplies and chatted with her a bit this afternoon. Then it was off to work with me."

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