Who: Mandy and Terry What: Mandy takes Terry to her nan's so he doesn't have to wear her clothing. Where: Mandy's flat to her grandmum's When: Thursday 27.11.2003 Rating: PG Status: Incomplete
Mandy screwed her eyes up tight and pulled her blanket closer to her as she felt herself slowly come out of dreamland. She really didn't want to wake up, Terry was awake in her dreams. He'd changed a little physically but it was still the same Terry that she'd fallen in love with. Except in her dreams he was calling her love, and standing across that aisle from her. Even as she started to slide out of her dream, she could still feel Terry's arms around her waist. This was not a feeling she wanted to lose whilst being wrenched back into reality. Nevertheless, it wasn't long at all before she could feel herself no longer needing sleep, and her eyes slowly fluttered open. As she rolled over, getting ready to get up, go to work, Mandy found her progress being hampered as she felt herself smacking into another body. It took only seconds and Mandy's eyes quickly flew open to see who was in her bed. Oh swet Merlin, he was actually here! "Terry!"
His dreams were a bit more jumbled, crying out for his mum in them. There she was standing only a few feet away and then slowly but surely he watched her pull away from him. That's when his blue eyes fixed onto her disappearing into a darkness. It was replaced soon after with memories of Mandy's grandmother's basement. Sitting there reading letters from his mates who were living on their lives while he was in hiding. It was only a flash, because someone had to scream his name when she woke up. "What?!" He said wrenching forward out of the dream and falling out of Mandy's bed with a definite thud. "Oi, what gives." Terry winced as he sat up from off the ground his muscles feeling stronger than the day before by leaps and bounds.
Mandy crawled to the edge of the bed as she noticed that Terry had fallen off. "I'm sorry, Terry," Mandy said looking at Terry in concern. "I just. I forgot you were awake, and was happy to see you." she said biting her lower lip as she realized just how stupid her move had been. Sliding off her bed, she stood in front of Terry and held a hand out for him. "Sorry, want help?" she was sure he was feeling better, after all a night's sleep tended to help, didn't it? "Do you want me to get you some breakfast?"
He took her hand to get him up from off the ground. His back now hurt a bit but he wasn't going to complain about it. "Going out to get me breakfast? Seems silly that I can't even walk you out." Terry looked at himself, bloody hell did he get thin. It wasn't like he was incredibly thick before this but this was ridiculous. He sighed a bit dusting off his arse. "Did you sleep well at any rate?" Terry tilted his head to the side, his brown strands flowing with his head. It was nice to have clean hair, and after seeing the mess he was when he woke this was nothing but a miracle he knew a good trimming charm.
"I meant I'd make something in the kitchen. How about a big English Breakfast," Mandy said grinning widely at Terry. "Why can't you walk me out? We could go to a cafe or something, get something good?" Mandy was fairly certain that any restaurant food was going to be loads better than any of her food. Running her fingers through her hair, Mandy frowned as he fingers hit a knot and she realized that her hair was a complete mess, and that she probably looked and smelled pretty bloody awful. How exactly was she supposed to work that into the conversation? "We can transfigure you some clothes and go out? If you need some toothpaste and such, I think I have a spare unused one in the cupboard" Mandy offered, smiling at him. She didn't mean to be suggesting that Terry date her or anything, but it was better than her cooking, and it would mean that he wouldn't be stuck with just her all day. "I did sleep well though, did you?"
Terry walked to the bathroom and grabbed the unused toothbrush and paste proceeding to brush his teeth. It was nice feeling himself get clean again, he liked the feeling always had. "We could go out if you want. I mean I don't have any money yet..." He had every intention of getting his affairs in order, gaining his life back was going to be much. His father owed him a lot of money from back support and promised to give him money for his university. Sadly Terry never had a chance to tell his father who he was or that he wasn't going to a Uni. Instead he wanted to go farther in the Wizarding world, forgetting his muggle world all together. Losing his mum made want to forget all the bad things of his childhood. "Transfigure what into clothes?" He looked a little confused, "Do you think we can send for my clothing from your grandmother's? I would really like to wear my own things again." He could only imagine how much the clothing would hang off of him. "Good I'm glad you slept well."
As Terry was already in her en suite bathroom, Mandy took the opportunity to at least deal with one of her problems. Grabbing her brush off of the chest and walking over to the wardrobe, she opened one of the doors to reveal the mirror and started de-tangling the mess. "Please, stop worrying about the money. A couple of sickles or quid here and there isn't very well going to bankrupt me." Mandy said, looking toward the bathroom and Terry. "And I was thinking we could transfigure some of my robes? Or we could try just washing what you have on. At least until we can get your clothing." She paused for a moment. "I suppose we could just apparate to Nan's and pick the clothing up, or at least as much as we can carry, because it could take forever for an owl to travel up there and back. "
Flattening his hair, Terry tried to make sense of the curled up locks on his head. It was all he could do to keep them smushed down. Sighing he walked out of the bathroom, happy to have clean teeth once more. "Sorry Mands, can't help myself. You know it's sort of hard not to worry about something you don't have." The last thing he wanted to be was a burden on her. "Your robes?" He twisted his face a bit. Beggars couldn't be choosers but a girls robes, that would be a lark if anyone noticed it. "I suppose we could transfigure them. Oh if we go to your grandmother's my things are in a black trunk, I'm not exactly holding onto a lot of clothing or things. So much of it would be in there. Should only take one trip, only took me one to get it there." He looked down at the gray shorts and white tank top they gave him to wear at the hospital. "No I think I definitely want my clothing..." his voice faded out as he realized how foolish he must have looked.
Once Terry was done, Mandy rushed into the bathroom, trying to deal with her own teeth and wash her face before they were set to go out. She'd already abandoned her hair having pulled it back into a ponytail and wasn't really leaving much hope for her face, as she never really bothered with much makeup. Wasn't much point trying to improve the hopeless. Once done, Mandy headed back over to her wardrobe in order to start sorting through her clothing, trying to find something to wear as she spoke with Terry. "Well, they're not that bad," she said with a grin as her eyes scanned Terry. Granted she wasn't the most fashion conscious, but it wasn't difficult to tell that this did not exactly look fantastic on Terry. "If you think you can stand it a little bit longer, we can go to breakfast like this, and then apparate to nan's? That way you don't have to worry about inheriting the cooties of my girly clothing," Mandy added laughing, as she finally found the set of robes she wanted to change into. Although she wasn't fussed about her clothing, she didn't exactly want to spend the entire day in something she'd just slept in. "Now out, I have to change," Mandy said as she ushered Terry out of her room, continuing her conversation through the door, "but whatever you'd like to do is fine. I've told work I won't be in today anyway, so we could easily apparate up for a few hours and visit if you like."
Terry wandered back into the bathroom when she scurried out to wash his face and try and wake up a bit. Mandy startled him by screaming his name that morning so he didn't get to enjoy waking up. Now he was going to be wearing Mandy's clothing, he was definitely not sure how he felt about this new world he was living in. "Okay I guess I can wait a little while longer," he flattened the shirt he wore, thankful he showered the night before otherwise he might feel very gross indeed. "Breakfast than my clothing. Yes that sounds fine," he wondered how long he would have to live like he owed her. She didn't feel like he did, but Merlin did he ever. Mandy's gran took him in, and now she was. Terry tried to keep away the self critical internal struggle that was mounting but it was rather hard not to feel useless. She was doing so much for him and he was feeling more and more like a freeloader. "If I was going to catch cooties I have a feeling it would have been while I slept in bed with you last night."
"Sounds good then. We'll go out to the nearby cafe and get something to eat as soon as I finish here then" Having always preferred showers in hte afternoon so she could sleep in those extra 20 minutes in the morning, Mandy didn't even bother worrying about that. Instead, once she'd made Terry leave the room, she stripped quickly. "I don't think that counts, Terr. If we were both naked, maybe I could see your point." Mandy retorted with a laugh as she finally pulled the robes over her head. She emerged from the room a couple of minutes later and looked at Terry, "Ready?" she asked as she headed for the living room where her purse, keys and wand were located.
Walking out to the living room he flounced down a bit onto the couch. He was feeling very strong, it was nice. Compared with last night it was a complete one-eighty. Looking down at his arm he flexed it a bit getting used to using his muscles again. If he thought about how much he missed Quidditch he might be foolish enough to think of playing again. Too bad he never got to finish his seventh year on the team. Terry lost a lot with the fighting and sleeping... not the best but he would survive. "Well I don't think me being naked with you would cause cooties..." the words left his mouth before they could be stopped. "Errr that's not what I meant," he snapped up when she walked up to him. Grabbing a pair of robes from a folded pile he grabbed his wand transfigured it and pulled it on. "Alright than lets go..."
"Well no, hopefully you'd be at least somewhat happy too see me naked," Mandy responded with a grin as the blush snuck into her cheeks. She didn't look at him for a minute as she concentrated on her purse. Okay, so maybe Mandy had matured quite a bit since her seventh year, but there were still some things she wasn't 100% comfortable with, at least not with Terry. Though who knew, maybe that would change. She certainly hoped so. Once she had her things, Mandy headed toward the coat rack to grab a scarf and coat before stepping into her favourite Wellies. "You'll be okay?" she asked in concern as she looked him over. She pulled out her wand in order to transfigure anything else he could possibly need.
His face was burning read hot, he basically stepped into that one. Why did he have to be so bloody awkward around her? Maybe it was residual nerdiness from school years, or the fact that they never had a proper courtship. All he had was the memories of her from school and confessing his feelings on the battleground. She however had five years of watching him rot in a bed, not quite the same. How she didn't just walk away from him is something he couldn't understand. "See, you naked. Oh yeah, well that would be... wait why are we talking about this." His ears were now flame red. "I don't know if it's proper for me to discuss that." He tugged at the collar of the robes, "Yeah lets go." Anything to step out of the awkwardness of that moment would be brilliant.
Mandy couldn't help but giggle a little when Terry spoke about her. Part of her really wanted him to finish that sentence. The other part was really rather glad he didn't say anything. Not because she didn't want to know, but because he wasn't about to back up his words, and well that would just make it worse, wouldn't it? Plus there was the whole him changing over the five years and knowing her when she was younger, and marginably prettier. Opening the front door to her flat, Mandy waited for Terry to step outside of her ground floor flat and then followed behind him so she could lock the door behind them. She then quickly slid her wand into her pocked before heading down the steps if the Victorian building, then took a right down the pavement toward the nearby cafe.
It was slightly chilly but nothing he minded terribly. Walking was what he wanted anyway, to get out and about now that he could function somewhat normally. While they were walking he tried something he never did before, he moved closer to her and took her free hand into his. That's right Trevor Anthony Boot took initiative. It had been ages since he did that, other than telling her he fancied her he was usually very quiet. There were a few girls he had seen here and there but he was usually the one who was pursued or it was a group thing in Hogsmeade. To sleep in the same bed as a girl and try to hold her hand the next day was a new thing. "So you like this cafe?" He would love to just sit and look out a window with her.
When Terry took her hand, Mandy was a little startled. Okay, part of her hadn't expected him to do that, but more importantly she hadn't expected that little thrill that ran up her arm at his contact. Lacing her fingers with his, Mandy glanced over at Terry and gave him a small smile. It wasn't exactly the boldest move on part of any bloke she'd dated, but it was by far the farthest she'd gotten with Terry. Minus the whole sleeping with him last night. She didn't say anything at all as they walked toward the cafe, enjoying the quiet pleasure of of his company. "It's pretty good, I don't go here that often, as I don't like going out alone, but it's nice." Mandy said when he finally spoke. they arrived at the cafe only moments later, entering into the small establishment
She had laced her fingers with his, and his heart began to race. He must have looked like a grown man looking foolish holding the hand of a girl he fancied for the first time. She was really making him nervous and excited all at once, he wondered if she had any clue the sort of power over him she had. Probably not, it's not like he mentioned it to her before. Mandy was partly the reason he joined Quidditch in the first place back in school, an excuse to get a little closer. Plush he found out he wasn't dreadful at it, flying was freeing. It was like taking off from the world without thinking about books, and school work. He loved to fly, desperately missed it. "Ah, well heres to not going alone." Terry was smiling a little as they entered the building behind her sure to hold the door open for her to walk in first. It was semi-busy but he liked blending in with the rest so it was a welcome change.
"And maybe more than once," Mandy added grinning at Terry as they made their way into the cafe. It didn't take them all that long to find a place to sit, as it wasn't that full. Mandy was a little disappointed to have to let go of Terry's hand but she supposed it was just as well. The cafe was hardly a posh place to go, and so there were only a few people here and there, though it had a bit more of a relaxed and casual atmosphere. As soon as she sat down, Mandy reached for the menu, trying to see if there was anything she wanted in particular.
His stomach rumbled softly, why was he so hungry all of a sudden. Might have been the lack of eating he had been doing for say the last five years, but what did that have to do with anything? He took a menu and looked through it settling on some tea and a sandwich. Breakfast was one thing, but soft bread and sausage was something he enjoyed thoroughly. "So tell me what else has been going on since I drifted off for that nap of mine?" Terry tried to keep things casual and light.
Mandy found that she was actually much hungrier than she would have expected. She considered a full English breakfast, but after much thought she decided she may not exactly need all that much food. When the server came by, Mandy opted for some tea, eggs and toast. Once that was ordered Mandy turned her attention to Terry. "I suppose I didn't get to tell you much about it last night, did I? I'm really not sure where to start, to be honest. But obviously, we won. There's been loads of restructuring around.. you know the ministry," Mandy said, making sure to keep her voice low, just in case she said anything silly around the muggles.
Terry kept himself quiet, noticing the odd stares he recieved from some of the muggles about them. It's just as well he didn't care what they thought anyway. Besides, soon enough he would have all the muggle clothes and wizard clothes he could want, they were in his ruddy trunk. "Good, I'm glad we won. Restructuring? What to keep out the corrupt, that's rich. For as long as there has been politics there has been corruption of some sort." Terry had become anti-government after a while from being in hiding. It was hard to keep a silverlining when you have to hide from the world because of your parents had you and your blood status.
Mandy bit her lower lip as Terry spoke. It wasn't that she didn't agree with him, but it was a little difficult to remember what it was like five years ago, and the level of disdain she'd held for the Ministry. Although mandy hadn't exactly been affected, she had spent a great number of years scared for all of her friends and family who could be. It wasn't the same, she knew that, but she still knew the whole thought was riddiculous and completely wrong. "Yeah," she said, sighing just a little. "There were loads of people booted, sent to, you know. Loads of people were moved to other positions and there were new laws added. I think things have truly changed. maybe not the attitudes, but Terr, things have changed so much."
Terry tried to focus for a moment and looked at her, "What of Anthony, Stephen and Michael? Or even Kevin are they okay?" He hadn't heard much talk from her on the status of his house mates. It made his stomach squirm a bit. She had only spoken of him so far, "They are fine right tell me that they are working the jobs they wanted and such." It was a slight panic that made him think he was being selfish he thought only of himself when he woke and was thrilled to see her there. Maybe it was terrible of him to think that if she was fine it was only he who fell asleep like that. He hadn't even taken the time when they were in the hospital to look for anyone else.
Oh Hell. This was hardly a question she wanted to answer. Chewing on her lower lip, Mandy tried to think of the best way to answer Terry's question. It wasn't so much his friends that worried her, but rather Su's fate. She had taken it hard, but it had been five years for her. As for Terry, well maybe he didn't know her as well as Mandy had but he would surely be affected by her loss. "Stephen and Kevin are okay. They're doing quite well actually." she said finally, looking up at Terry. "Michael and Anthony, well, they're still asleep," she paused and looked at her lap, taking a deep breath. "But, and i'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, and that it wasn't in a better manner. But Su - she died at the battle."
When the food arrived Terry just remained quiet. Sipping his tea he looked at her shaking his head, "She died" the words sounded hollow and empty. There was no life there, just sorrow had entered him. Why did he have to lose those he cared for. Granted Su and he were not as close as say Terry and Michael or Terry and Anthony but she was a Ravenclaw, she wore the blue like the rest of them. There was nothing he found that bonded them more closely than that. His eyes met hers again, "Su is gone and Michael and Anthony are asleep..." He repeated her words feeling deep sadness. He took a bite of his sandwich feeling less hungry than before. "How, no don't tell me." He couldn't take anymore at that moment.
As the food arrived, Mandy didn't bother to dig into her breakfast, she was a little more concerned about Terry. Mandy watched Terry closely, wanting to see any sort of reaction. She needed to know if there was anything she needed to say to him. When he finally spoke, it was fairly obvious that he was hurting. She wanted so much to reach out to him. What coulod one say though? It was a senseless, unnecessary death. "How?" Mandy echoed, not answering the question. It wasn't like she really knew the answer herself. No one really knew what spell had hit her. After a moment she picked up her fork and started picking at her eggs, staring at the plate. "I know it's a lot to take in..."
Terry nibbled his sandwich some more before reaching out to her one hand she had resting on the table. His blue eyes searched for hers, "I am not ready to know. So when I am if you could at least tell me some of it, I want to know what happened." It was all too much to take in for so shortly after the battle had ended. Well for him it was after the battle ended, not everyone got five years to process it. His thumb softly stroked the skin of her hand as he looked at her with sincerity, "I'm glad you made it out alive. I don't know what I would have done if I woke up and you weren't there."
As she looked deeply into Terry's eyes, Mandy could not help but but give him a small, teary smile. "I'm glad you made it, and selfish as I am, I'm glad I did too," she said softly as she bit her lower lip. "I will be happy to tell you everything, let you in on everything that I remember the minute you feel you're ready for it. But Terr," she looked down at his hand smiling slightly before looking back up into his eyes. "you don't have to know everything all at once, I'll be here for ages to come, and you can ask me whenever."
"Maybe it's survivors guilt." Terry had read about that before in his muggle books, about people who felt guilty for having survived a traumatic event. When he was growing up Terry read whatever he could get his hands on. Things hadn't changed much as he got older, except he found that he was a lot goofier in his old age and from time to time he noticed girls looking at him. But still he didn't pay attention to them because they weren't who his heart desired. "Well that's what time is for right?" He smiled softly up at her.
Mandy picked up her fork again, deciding to try and eat a little bit more. She nodded at terry's comment, unsure of what to say. She'd heard of the theory herself, and was fairly certain that it applied in their case. It would be a long, long time before either one of them would actually cease feeling guilty over any of this, and Mandy already had a five year head start. Catching Terry's eyes again, Mandy found herself nodding and smiling. "Yeah, eventually. In the meantime, there are loads of other ways we can occupy ourselves, try not to worry so much, you know?"