InsaneJournal

WHO: Millicent Bulstrode and Miles Bletchley
WHAT: Drinks because he owes her one
WHEN:Backdated to last Tuesday Evening
WHERE: The Hounds Pint
RATING: PG-13 (there is drinking involved...so language possibly?)
STATUS: Completed in Gdocs

It was a cooler spring night, and Millicent put her hands in her jacket’s pockets as she made her way to the pub. She had been joking with Miles, but since he had gone along with things - who was she to turn down a free pint with an old friend. And if nothing else, it got her out of the labs and socializing with people. And thus people would get off her back for a bit longer. Pulling out a compact, she checked her lipstick before entering the pub. Not seeing him in her look around the pub, she looked down at her watch.

Ten minutes early. Well, better that than ten minutes late she supposed as she hopped up onto a bar stool with a good sightline to the door. Preparing to wait, she signaled for a shot from the bartender and tapped her foot along to the music. It was a Weird Sisters song she remembered from a year or two ago that she had loved.

Humming along to the beat, she tapped her fingertips along the bartop. Then a thought crossed her mind - if he literally showed up dressed as a bunny - he had better show up as a Playboy Bunny - because otherwise she might just have to transfigure the outfit into that for her own entertainment.

~~

Miles being Miles, he almost transfigured an old set of robes into a bunny costume. Not a Playboy Bunny, mind you (although he would have tried it if the thought had crossed his head), but a large pink Easter Bunny full jumpsuit-and-hat combination. In the end, though, he decided to go for his much more flattering and less imaginative best suit, of the kind he wore every time he needed to impress rather than weird out journalists. Someone who knew him as long as Millicent would probably be more surprised with that choice of apparel, he thought to himself.

He made a point of being early for their appointment, but yet, as he quickly noticed, he wasn't the first to arrive. There she was, drumming her fingers on the bartop. Ah well, Miles shrugged mentally, so he wasn't going to be one hundred percent impressive.

"Hello, Millie," he said, as he approached her. "Been waiting long?"

~~

Millicent turned and gave him a grin, “I actually just got here a few minutes ago.” Running her eyes over him, a brow went up and she nodded slowly, “And don’t you look rather handsome and adult. Very nice I must say.” She was glad she had opted for a skirt, blouse and boots. When he had mentioned looking nice - she figured it was best to dress equally nice. She wasn’t about to disappoint him and show up in denims and a old sweatshirt - and he didn’t know she had been wearing just up until about an hour ago when she had forced herself out of the lab and to get ready for this outing.

Waving her hand she motioned for him to join her at the bar, moving her jacket off of the chair, “I even saved you a seat.” She straightened up her spine a bit, tucking her hair behind her ear as she did so. Because her hair was actually down and loose and she was rather enjoying the view a bit, “I am glad you were able to join me this evening - it’s been too long and it was very lovely of you to offer me a consolation pint on the lack of Spring.”

~~

That's very kind of you," he said with a grin, taking the offered seat. "It's my pleasure. I feel like we haven't seen each other in ages. You look marvellous, by the way," he added earnestly. Truthfully, Miles would not have cared if Millicent had shown up in everyday clothes, though he approved of the way she was looking.

"And besides," he said, his milesian grin returning, "I always pay my debts. I feel like I disappointed you greatly by failing to cheer you up, and I need to compensate for that."

~~

Chuckling softly, Millicent rested her chin on her palm and shook her head at Miles, “I appreciate it. It’s just been a wild few weeks and I am over winter weather just in general. Even this almost-spring we are having. I am just ready for it all to be over and nice things to come our way.”

Signaling for the bartender again she did a little spin on her bar stool, “Well, I couldn’t very well go out with a man such as yourself looking less than put together.” Her eyes widened in a teasing way as she stage whispered, “What would people say?!” Clearing her throat a shoulder shrugged, “I don’t get to dress up for fun much, but I thank you for the compliment. Flattery will get you far my dear sir.”

Studying him a bit closer, “So tell me, what wild shenanigans am I am keeping you from this evening?”

~~

"I know exactly what you mean," he said. "While my work forces me to spend most of the time outdoors regardless of the weather, I know it's a depressing thought for everybody." Plus he was from Yorkshire, where rain seemed to be the norm when it came to weather.

He chuckled at her comment. "A man such as myself? Why, Millie, you’re making me blush." It was his turn to rest his chin on his palm, mimicking her pose. "I'm a natural born flatterer, as you know, though clearly not to the same level as you."

He pretended to think hard. "Wild shenanigans? You mean, apart from being adopted by a deranged talking potato?" He was sure she had seen his remarks about the garden gnome that had become the strangest pet he could have ever imagined owning, but had no idea of what she made of it, especially given his lack of explanation.

~~

“Ah yes, your new gnome lifemate.” Her eyes twinkled at him as the pints were set in front of them, “And yes, apart from you entering into that sort of relationship.” Taking a sip of her beer she swallowed and stuck her tongue out at him for mimicking her seating stance.

“And making you blush? Now that does take skill I am sure. I am glad to know that I have that life skill.” She took another sip and set it back down on the bartop, “And I don’t know, you seem to have some skills up your sleeves. And something tells me that I should keep my eye on you so I can keep up.”

“Enough distracting me, tell me Miles, what have you been up to - shenanigans and otherwise - other than finding your lifemate?”

~~

"Lifemate?" Miles gave her a face of mock disgust. "More like a child, really. A very ugly child." He grinned. "And I'm sure I'm the one who might need to keep up with you."

He took a sip of his own beer. "In all seriousness, now, there's nothing much to say. I had dinner at Big Flint's place last night, but mostly I've been alternating between training and fixing stuff around the house. It's a boring, shenanigan-less existence, really, and I'm utterly disappointed with myself." He tilted his head to the side. "And what about you? No strange house guests or boring stories like mine, I hope."

~~

Sighing, “And here I had picked out something for the two of you. A nice knick knack that I am sure has been regifted at least five times and seems to keep coming back to me. It’s truly terrifying.” Putting on a very innocent face she looked at him, “I mean, it’s a TRULY amazing family heirloom with a great deal of sentimental meaning.”

“Ah yea, Marcus’ cook out. I had to work at the Ministry or I would have made it.” She pursed her lips thoughtfully, “Oh yes, I have not found a life mate/child - which I am not entirely sure if that is legal mind you. But other than that - I have sadly been free of shenanigans myself. We are letting ourselves go. What has become of us?” A look of horror came to her face, “Tell me that we aren’t turning into….” She looked around and then stage whispered, “Adults.” Shuddering, she kept up the facade for a few moments before laughing, “But seriously - between running the shop and a few things at the Ministry and my own things….I would love a few more hours in the day. Then there might be shenanigans to report.”

~~

An exaggerated look of terror was on Miles' face the moment the A Word was uttered, and not even Millicent's laughter managed to fade it. "Bite your tongue, Millie! I haven't finished being immature yet."

Eventually, the expression turned back into his usual grin. "That's the problem, though, isn't it? Time seems to be going faster than we seem to remember. Before we know it we have work and obligations and that sort of stuff. And yes,” he quickly added before she would, “non-human life partners for some of us. I know some people who seem to be collecting cats instead, and I’m not sure which is weirder.”

He took another sip of his beer before giving her a quizzical stare. “But let’s go back to that family heirloom thing. How awful-slash-wonderful is it?”

~~

“I just call it like I see it Miles. We should work on being more irresponsible and immature while we can still get away with it.” She nodded solemnly, a small smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth as she turned to face him more fully on her bar stool.

“At least I admit I am on my way to being a crazy cat lady. I embrace it.” Millicent said, sticking her tongue out at him, “And I can’t quite say any of them are my non-human life mate. But I do applaud you for owning up to it.” She tried to look serious, but couldn’t hold back a laugh, “I am sure the gnome appreciates it.”

“Oh it’s hideously wonderful.” There was a delicate shudder, “I am relatively certain it’s not someone that has been transfigured, but no one has ever dared to try;. And it has these eyes that follow you…..and the colors are gaudy as all Hades. So of course - I thought of you and your lifemate….”

~~

"Well, I am doing my best at trying to be immature, I can promise you that," Miles said, smiling. "I'd love some pointers, though."

He pulled a face at her further remark. "Who said I'm admitting anything? I'm just going with the flow, which is different. Personally, I think Tibbles would rather be Celestina Warbeck's life partner." He shuddered.

"You know, that sounds like the perfect thing to ward off intruders. Thieves especially will very likely run like the wind at the sight."

~~

“I do appreciate the effort darling.’ Millie said taking another drink, “I truly do. It means that I can as well and not be judged for it - which is nice.”

Rolling her eyes, “You don’t have to admit it Miles, I can see it written all over you.” Her fingers ran over her serpent charm on her necklace, “But I am sure there are many that would agree about Celestina Warbeck. Don’t worry, I am sure you can win his affections back.”

Nodding as she set the glass back down, “I have found it useful for that - and also as a random fact - it’s hard to break. I have thrown it in fits of frustration and temper and it’s never even CHIPPED. It’s crazy….”

~~

Miles waved his hand dismissively. "People who judge the immaturity of others are not worth bothering about, trust me."

Rubbing his face in an exaggerated manner, as if trying to remove any embarrassing writing, he asked in mock alarm, "Really? Is it that obvious?" He made a face. "Hopefully so. I want to say it breaks my heart, but it's mostly my ears that are suffering."

"Well, that just goes to show," he said with a raise of eyebrows, "that it's powerful. My flabber is truly gasted."

~~

Groaning a bit at the last part of his sentence, Millicent shook her head, “Well, never let it be said that it wasn’t while talking to me. People might think I was losing my touch.”

“As for Celestina…..to each their own. And to all others - charmed earplugs so we don’t throttle the hell out of them.” She paused and tilted her head thoughtfully, “Would you be able to throttle a gnome? Drat, now that may bother me for a bit of time.”

“Well, rest assured my friend, I will never truly consider you an adult or mature. So take heart in that.” Grinning at him a bit impishly, “However, I will say your jokes and immaturity have improved over the years.”

~~

The groan did not pass unnoticed to Miles. "I'm sorry, was I sounding too mature when I said it? What I meant was..." he blew a loud raspberry "...to them. Hi, how's it going?" he added, waving cheerily at the bartender, who was glaring at him.

He shrugged. "I can't say anything about throttling, but I could throw him out the window like you do when you de-gnome a garden - though it might be harder now that he's wearing those dresses my sister got for him. And besides, I tried to kick him out the first time he invaded my home, but he came back and I just gave up."

He gave a small bow at her compliment. "Thank you, my dear. You flatter me."

~~
Shaking her head at the exasperated bartender, “Can I take you anywhere Miles? Honestly.” Her ears perked up at the song that came on and she hummed a few lines of it before coming back to the conversation, “And you were sounding mature when you said it.”

“Well, I like to flatter those who treat me to lovely pints. I find it keeps the pints coming.” She gave him an overly innocent look, batting her lashes at him playfully, “Is it working?”

~~

He sniggered. "I want to say I'm sorry for that, but I'm afraid I can't. I'm sorry I sounded mature, though."

Leaning in closer to her, he said, "Oh, it's definitely working. Flattery gets you anywhere with me." He gestured at the still glaring bartender, in a silent but clear request for more.

~~

“Anywhere hmmm?” A brow arched and her lips quirked, “I am sure I don’t have to warn you that not giving me limits can be dangerous. Just a warning - in case you had forgotten.”

Leaning back, she gave the bartender a grin and blew him a kiss, causing him to sigh and find another customer, “I do think we may have frustrated the keeper of the beer Miles.” Just as she said that he was back with their beers and a shake of his head, “Well, not too much obviously.”

“So other than finding your non-human lifemate and work - tell me what you are doing to the house. Hopefully something intriguing?”

~~

Miles grinned. "What can I say? I like to live dangerously."

He handed Millicent her beer before grabbing his own. "That's okay, really. Unless we become a nuisance to the whole place and he finds himself forced to kick us out, I doubt his frustration will be stronger than the wish to get paid." He rose his drink to her in salute. "So there's no need to worry... yet."

"I like to think of it as archaeological research." He chuckled to himself. "The people who used to live there left some very... interesting things behind."

~~

Returning his grin, Millicent chuckled and shook her head, “Living dangerously? Now I think we are getting back to the Miles that I remember.”

Tapping a finger against her chin thoughtfully, “Well, I would say it’s something to aim for - but I do like this pub, so I say we not get ourselves completely tossed out to the curb. Perhaps another evening at another drinking establishment. We need goals in life after all.”

The comment about interesting things definitely piqued her interest, “Now you can’t just say something like that and not follow up. What kind of interesting things?” There was a spark in her eyes that gave away her interest a bit more than normal, if you knew her well."

~~

He returned the chuckle. "That Miles never went anywhere. He just got distracted with... Oh, I was going to say pretty shiny things, but since I mostly deal with the Quaffle the analogy doesn't quite work."

Looking around, he agreed. "True, there are interesting goals, and there are goals that only sound interesting if you don't think about it. I like this place too, so I agree we should keep it. Of course," he added with a shrug, "the places we probably don't like as much might have lower standards and be a bit more permissive of, shall we say, our shenanigans?" He smirked at the return of the word to their conversation. "But then again, that makes it an even bigger challenge, if we chose to give it a try."

His smirk grew even bigger at her reaction. "You know, I had the feeling you'd be interested. I have the feeling they liked to experiment with either brewing or potion-making because I keep finding bottles with strange contents." He took a sip of his beer before proceeding with his explanation. "They're probably all failed experiments, mind you, otherwise I guess they would have remembered them when they moved out."

~~

“Failed or not, I would be more than happy to take some of those off of your hands. Figuring them out would be a fun few weeks. And older bottles if they turn out to be nothing can be three times as good as new ones at containing stronger brews.” Taking another drink, she grinned, “So if you would like to share some of your finds I would be ever so grateful.”

Laughing, she nodded, “This is true - the less desirable, the more accepting they might be to our shenanigans. Which is an odd mix of good and bad. But still, I feel that if you and I put our heads together we could truly achieve that goal.”

~~

“I’ll be happy to send them your way, definitely,” he said with a nod. “I’ve been waiting until I finished exploring and fixing every nook and cranny before I decided what to do with them. Just do me one favour: will you let me know what you find?”

He flashed her his best trademark devilish grin. “We have something to look forward to, then. Well, any excuse for us to meet like this is a good excuse, really. That’s a bonus.”

~~

Millie raised a brow, “Well if you are feeling a bit brave - you could come over and we can find out together. However - I do not promise that there will not be exploding cauldrons or other things that may or may not require you to have quick reflexes.”

“We don’t need an excuse. I have been here - you lot insist on being busy all the blasted time.” She sighed in an exaggerated fashion, “And you could always just ask...and thus we could be here without excuses.” She batted her eyes at him teasingly.

~~

Miles finished his beer. “That won’t be a problem. Having quick reflexes is part of my job, after all.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle at her. “And we’re back to the problems of being an adult, aren’t we? All right, then, I promise I’ll start asking on a regular basis, no excuses necessary.”

~~

“Quidditch reflexes….you might be safe.” Sighing again, she shook her head, “Being an adult is far too overrated again.” Signalling for the amused bartender, she got them another round, “But I will insist you now come and brave the results for some of these with me.”

“So I won’t have to trick you into drink again? Now that is starting to sound promising…..”

~~

“I agree. There’s no such thing as the freedom and independence we’re promised, is there?” He shrugged in an overdramatic way. “Not unless we act less like the adults we’re expected to be.” He looked up at the bartender, as if expecting the man to be bracing himself for another childish outburst. Since he didn’t get the desired reaction, he turned his attention back to Millicent. “All right, you’re on.”

“Well, unless we have a big game coming up and need to get ready, I promise you won’t.”

~~

“A big game….over a sassy and fun evening with me?” That earned him a pout, “I see how it goes. I suppose I could be inspired to come and watch said game. Maybe.” She ran her fingers through her hair and pondered the bartender, “I think we are slacking with the bartender…”

Catching sight of someone out of the corner of her eye, she scooted closer to Miles, “Now I need you to play along. Pretend this is a date.” Giving him a flirtatious grin, “My brothers set me up on a blind date and the only way I could get rid of him was convincing I was seeing someone. Congrats - you just got upgraded.”

~~

“Just maybe?” he teased. “What a disappointment.”

“Wh…?” It took only a second for Miles to recover from the surprise. As he surreptitiously tried to look for the mysterious newcomer, he flashed Millicent a grin. “I want to say I feel cheap, but this is certainly more fun than messing with the bartender. Is there any particular direction I should not be looking at?”

~~

“You do need to put some effort into this….” She smirked at him, “I don’t just show up for anyone Miles….”

“I would pay top dollar for you Miles….” Millicent said with a chuckle, her hand coming over to rest on his thigh, “My three o’clock, the sandy blonde that has too much hair product in.” Whispering softly, “My brother really have shite taste, but now I am thrilled you are here and can be my buffer if he spots me…”

~~

“Oh, I believe that.” He smirked back. “It’s nice to feel wanted.”

His eyes once again travelled around the room, finally finding the target. “It’s good to know. And you can rest assured I’ll be worth every knut.” He got closer to her, also whispering. “Yeah, I see what you mean. He looks like he’s got a whole apothecary on that head.” He smirked. “I’m glad to be of service.”

~~

“I try.” Chuckling, she shivered involuntarily at the whsiper tickling her temple, “Tease…..” She was taking a sip of her beer when she felt eyes land on her and she set the glass down, “He is on his way over….I can feel it.”

Her radar wasn’t off, much to her dismay as she heard a throat being cleared. She turned and put on a very convincing surprised face, “Niall….hello. I didn’t know you were here tonight….” She gave the interloper a smile, “How are you this evening?”

“I thought you were very busy with work and didn’t have time….” He said and eyed Miles with narrowed eyes, “I was hoping….”

Jumping in too interrupt him, “Let me introduce you to Miles. Miles this is Niall, the friend my brother's suggested.” She gave him a ‘remorseful’ smile, “You see I am, but Miles here just insisted on getting some of my attention as well.”

Niall eyed Miles and then Millicent, “Is that so….?”

~~

Doing his best to play the part right, Miles looked at the newcomer as if trying to study his potential as a rival for Millicent’s affections. If they were going to do this, at least they would try to stroke the bloke’s ego a bit without making him feel like he had a chance - even if that hair made him undeserving of such politeness in Miles’ eyes.

“Well, you know...” Miles reached ‘discreetly’ for Millicent’s hand. “It feels like ages since we had an evening for ourselves.” He was now staring at her with a smile on his lips, as if the ‘rival’ was no longer worthy of his interest.

~~

Millicent was valiantly trying to not burst out laughing. She managed a little bit of small talk and she let her fing wind and unwind around Miles’. Finally Niall seemed to get the message and excused himself to go down a few spots on the bar. Feeling the eyes still on her, Millicent mouthed, “I am sorry….” Leaned in and kissed Miles teasingly.

Whispering against his lips, “Now I owe you one….” Her eyes twinkled at him, “And I do love this song…..care to dance to get me some distance from The Man with the Sad Ego…” She arched a brow, “I won’t step on your toes or anything - promise.”

~~

"Owe me what?" Miles grinned, trying to resist the urge to go over the top in their displays of affection, being fully aware that they were very likely still being watched. "It's your toes I worry about. Still," he held his hand out to her, "if you feel brave enough I'm in."

~~

Winking at him, she led him over to the dance floor and into a slow dance, “We will start off slow and see what happens.” She moved with him to the music and shook her head, “As to what I owe you….” She let her voice trailed off, “I owe you for playing along as to what the repayment will be….I am sure between us we can think of something.”

Arching a brow she looked him in the eye, “Unless you are slacking and are going to make me think of something…..”

~~

“Oh, I have plenty of ideas...” He gave her a mischievous look. “All of them start with where we are right now, so we should probably carry on with your suggestion of starting slow.” A pretty good suggestion, he thought, as so far neither of them seemed to be suffering from aching toes.

Once again, he got closer and whispered, “I’d ask if he’s still staring at us, but to be honest I’m enjoying this too much to care.”

~~

If someone called her on it, Millicent would have denied the faint blush creeping into her cheeks, “You prat….” She rested her forehead against him and then focused on them and dancing, “And I am enjoying this as well. You have learned a few things over the years Mr. Bletchley.”

“But now you have me curious…..just what are some of these ideas?”

~~

"That's me. Proud Prince of Pratness." He smirked. He wasn't lying or doing his usual joking around - he really was enjoying this moment. "Why, thank you, Miss Bulstrode. It comes from having the right dance partner, I guess."

"Well, what to do say we get away from shocked bartenders and unwelcome passers-by and go somewhere else? You can see what I've been doing to my new place."

~~

“Well, I am rather thrilled that you are accepting your title.” As the song ended, she took a step back at his suggestion and considered it for the briefest of moments, “I would love to come and see what you are up to. Then I can even steal some of the older potions while I am there.”

Leaning in she brushed a teasing kiss against his cheek, “Let me go and get my things.” Going to the bar, she started to get her things. She hadn’t been planning on going anywhere but home. But spending time with Miles was very enjoyable, and she liked unexpected turns to evening.”

~~

"Does it count as stealing when I already agreed to give them to you?" he asked.

Trying hard not to blush at this more recent kiss, a surprising reaction given how cool and jokey he had been until that point, he nodded. "All right." As he saw her advance towards the counter, he couldn't help but smile. He had no idea of how much he had missed spending time with Millicent until they started chatting, and regardless of what else would happen, he was sure the evening would remain enjoyable.

~~

Letting Miles settle the tab, she slipped into her jacket for the evening, taking the moment with her back to him to check her make up. She really should have remembered that Miles could be this enjoyable and talked him into taking her out for drinks before now.

Turning to face him, shouldering her bag, Millicent linked arms with him, “Alright, lead away Miles. Let’s see what else you have up your sleeve.”

~~

Miles took the opportunity to throw some more silly expressions in the bartender's general direction as he settled the tab, but was sadly disappointed by the impassive reaction he got. Ah well, he thought. Maybe some other time.

As Millicent's arm linked to his, he grinned at her. "Oh, I've got plenty up my sleeve, Millie. I'm sure you won't be disappointed."