Lenora Urquhart (notlenora) wrote in vrrpg, @ 2017-05-02 15:26:00 |
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Entry tags: | char: nora urquhart, char: roger davies, location: ministry of magic, time: 2009 05 |
RP: Nora & Roger - Post Memory Modification
Who: Nora and Roger
What: Some unhappy truths come to light
Where: Ministry of Magic
When: Tuesday afternoon
Warnings: Some language
Nora hated being at the Ministry, for really, no good reason. But today it was sort of required, since she had to officially file Alec and her marriage license as well as change her last name, so she tried to keep that thought in her mind the entire time she waited, and eventually spoke with the appropriate bureaucrat. All in all, it only took 3 hours, a new record, she was sure. Of course, that was an entirely sarcastic thought, but what did it matter?
On her way out, she caught sight of a familiar figure ahead of her, and while part of her wanted to pounce, another part of her was still harboring a hell of a lot of hurt... She had to read about everything in the papers. The bloody papers! He couldn't have written her a letter? Sent a text? It hurt on a level she couldn't quite explain, but tried to push it down as she hurried to fall into step beside Roger.
"Well aren't you certainly a sight for sore eyes, Davies," she said, forcing a smile and trying not to let her annoyance pour out. That would just piss him off. "Really though... not even a text? I'm hurt."
***
It had been a month since Roger returned from holiday and two weeks since starting his position at the Ministry. The official story - and one his memory modified mind believed to be true - read he decided to retire from Quidditch after it became evident his health wouldn't recover properly following a very unfortunate incident with his medication reacting poorly to a potion taken out of desperation.
That didn't matter; Roger loved his work. Why hadn't he considered this avenue of employment before? Sure Quidditch had been fun but now he actually felt fulfilled. Professor McGonagall was right: his mind would be wasted in athletics.
Clad in the inky black robes and small silver clasp pinned to the collar that all who worked in the Department of Mysteries had to wear, Roger strode through the atrium of the Ministry on his way for lunch when a familiar face came up alongside him.
"Nora!" A warm, wide smile lit up his face. "Merlin I haven't seen you since..." When was the last time? Roger honestly couldn't remember. Last summer perhaps? He shook his head instead. "Ah, well, how are you?"
***
Wait… what? He honestly couldn't remember the last time he saw her? How was that even possible? It was probably one of the most emotionally charged meetings she had with him since he overdosed, and he honestly couldn't remember it now. Did something terrible happen to him while he was in America? Concern instantly colored her features as she furrowed her brows and looked up at him, inspecting his face, his blue eyes.
"I… I'm okay. I just got back a little bit ago from a month long vacation. I… got married." She lifted up her hand, the black pearl ring shining a bit in the light. Something was wrong, so incredibly wrong and she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was, but it was making her stomach turn. "Are.. you alright? What happened to you over in the United States? And with quitting the league? Why didn't you tell me, Roger? Seriously?"
***
His own features flickered to match the concern on Nora's face. Why did she look at him like that? Perhaps she was worried having read the paper about how decision to retire due to health. Afterall, they had been team mates at school.
The curious look faded as Nora held up the ring and he smiled once more.
"Nora that's fantastic!" Roger beamed. "Who with?" But again she looked at him as though he'd grown two heads. "What? No I'm fine. Just needed a holiday to sort myself out before starting a new career. An adjustment period... Are you alright?" He added tentatively; maybe the stress of marriage was getting to her.
***
Who with? Who had she married? Did he really just ask that? Panic seized up inside Nora, and suddenly she felt like she was going to throw up. Then again, she had sort of already felt like that this morning but that was just nerves over having to spend her day at the Ministry. This… this was completely different. Was this a fucking terrible prank? Was Roger messing with her? He had to be. But his voice, his eyes, his entire demeanor was so genuine, it couldn't be the case. Not even Roger Davies could be so cruel.
And then it hit her. The thing Alec asked her about on their cruise. The bad news that he was worried would ruin their trip. He had given her a choice, to hear about it then, or wait, and Nora had chosen the latter. She suddenly realized exactly what the terrible thing could be.
Looking away from Roger, tears began to sting at the corners of her eyes. "You erased us," she whispered under her breath, her heart shattering into a million pieces at the heavy realization. Roger had actually done it. He had erased, or at the very least, rewritten his memory. Their 15 year friendship, everything they had ever been through, it was… gone. It had to be.
How could he have done this without telling her? Without any word whatsoever? Even if he knew she would try and stop him, didn't she at least deserve that much?
But right now, it didn't matter, did it? She had to push that all down, because this Roger Davies didn't know why she would be upset. Why his words were like rocks pressing down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
"No, I'm fine. It's… nothing, nothing at all. I married Alec Urquhart, do you know him?" Because honestly, she had no idea if he would, not anymore. Merlin, this was… this was the worst.
"I'm glad to see you're doing better, Roger. Really. You deserve happiness, and if you've found it, then I'm supportive of that, yeah?" Even if she was lying through her teeth, he wouldn't know the difference. Because he didn't know her anymore, not like he should.
***
Oh fuck. Now Nora had begun to tear up and Roger felt himself freeze with the fear of not knowing what to do when confronted with such a blatant emotion. Should he touch her? Offer a hug? Ignore it and hope it goes away? She muttered something so softly the words were lost in the white noise of the atrium.
Fortunately, Nora regained her composure to inform Roger of just who had won her wild heart. She'd always ran on high with her emotions, so marrying someone as even tempered as Alec (at least from what he remembered of the former Slytherin Captain turned doctor) would be a good match for her.
"Yeah, I remember him. Good guy. It's been years since I've seen him. We really should grab a pint."
Roger wanted to thank her for the compliment: he was indeed much happier now, not something seemed so off in her demeanor.
"Nora are you sure you're alright? Can I get you a cup of tea?" What could he do for an acquaintance who seemed on the verge of breaking down into a fit at any moment?
***
Years since she'd seen him? What had they done to his brain? How did Roger think this would be a good idea! Why? Just… why? She had to hold it together though, and in typical Nora fashion, she tapped into one of her most used defense mechanisms. Apathy. Lock it away for as long as she could, and try not to dwell. Try not to let it tear her apart from the inside. It was the only thing that was going to get her through this.
"I'll be sure to pass along the message, Roger. I'm sure he'd like that," her voice was smooth, calm. As if she was on autopilot regarding her emotions. She could do this.
"Yes, of course. I'm completely okay. It's just been a long past couple of days, is all. And I wouldn't want to ruin what is probably your lunch hour. That wouldn't be kind of me, now would it?"
***
"Perfect!" Roger beamed again, excited to catch up with an old school mate. "My schedule is much more open these days, so have him reach out." There was something so refreshing having a predictable schedule, even if he did often take his work home; it was entirely too fascinating to leave behind on his desk. At the very least it could fill the long hours in the evening until Roger was able to make proper friends that weren't in the Quidditch world. He wanted very much to leave that behind.
He nodded understandingly to Nora's explanation and then looked down at his watch. Despite working with time there was no way to stop the slow, steady progression forward.
"Ah yeah." Lunch would only last fifty minutes now. It was worth it to see his former Chaser. "Well, don't be a stranger, okay? And... Do try to take it easy." The natural captain side of him took over, concerned about a teammate. "You're just married. This is supposed to be the best time of your life."
***
Roger seemed so happy. So carefree. Like he was back to being his Hogwarts self before Cedric, and before Cho, and before the drugs. It was refreshing to see, but it didn't make any of the situation more bearable to her. It was like he had been catapulted back in time, but no one else had gone along for the ride.
Matching his smile the best she could, Nora nodded, knowing that Alec would most likely be interested to see this, to see Roger now. But she just couldn't anymore.
"I won't be, promise. We'll catch up soon as well, hm?" At his words, she nodded, doing her best to act as though she was taking them in stride. "Of course, you're right. Thank you and enjoy your break!" Giving him a little wave, she began walking away, unable to stop from adding under her breath, "Catch up soon… catch up on the last 15 years? I fucking doubt it. Fuck you, Roger Davies."