Year/Job
Hogwarts Creature Sanctuary Caretaker
guiding light, second star on the right - * |
former slytherin
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Post by Juniper Fiyero on Jan 19, 2024 17:42:24 GMT -8
juniper couldn’t quell the unsettlement in her stomach, or the heaviness in her heart as christmas came & went without a blink. snow had taken over the grounds, leaving her to her paperwork as she came down the stairs and into the small dining hall. she sat, glass of wine readied for her, smile on her face as she motioned to take a sip. juniper heard the door open, questioning who it would be this time. with the investigation going on, she rarely got time alone. most of the time she didn’t mind, but she was unsure how effectively she could hide her sorrows.
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Year/Job
Auror
Never meant to be a bad man, I just had a fast hand |
Occulmens
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Post by Rip Winstead on Jan 19, 2024 17:56:27 GMT -8
There was no logical reason for Rip to be visiting Juniper at the sanctuary. They had reached a crossroads in the investigation and there wasn’t much else for them to do at this point but wait. His eyes were on Abernathy, but as of now he had nothing to hold him with. He told himself that he needed to go over her statement again, but if he was being honest with himself he’d realize it was just an excuse to see her.
When he approached the small castle nestled in the forbidden forest, the gargoyle stared down at him with beady eyes before the door swung open. Cautiously, Rip crossed the threshold and made his way further into the building. He found her with ease, his heart doing a backflip when he saw her. Rip cleared his throat. “I’m sorry if I’m intruding, I just had some more questions.”
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Year/Job
Hogwarts Creature Sanctuary Caretaker
guiding light, second star on the right - * |
former slytherin
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Post by Juniper Fiyero on Jan 19, 2024 17:56:54 GMT -8
truthfully, she wasn’t expecting it to be him, but juniper wouldn’t lie to say it wasn’t a huge relief. rip was the only person that didn’t drain her at this point, even with as nervous as he made her. so, sitting up straighter, juniper motioned to the seat beside herself. “no, no intrusion at all,” she reassured him. “i’m sorry for the state of things. i’ve been going over these cross examinations again.” and felt defeated for it, too, but she wouldn’t say that. she smiled up at him and it was the first real smile she’d had all day. “can i get you something? there’s fresh coffee in the kitchen and i left the kettle on for tea.”
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Year/Job
Auror
Never meant to be a bad man, I just had a fast hand |
Occulmens
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Post by Rip Winstead on Jan 19, 2024 17:57:13 GMT -8
She apologized for the state of her home - was this her home? - and Rip just waved her off as he crossed to sit beside her. His office looked just as cluttered. He was never one for organization. “You should see my desk,” he offered with a small smile, his gaze lingering on her face for a few moments too long before he cleared his throat and shifted his weight in the seat. Tread carefully, he warned himself.
“Coffee’d be great, thanks,” he replied softly. His blue eyes flickered down to her glass of wine, his lips curling into another smile. “Or something stronger if you’ve got it.” It probably wasn’t the best idea for him to be drinking with Juniper, but he clearly was thinking logically at the moment.
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Year/Job
Hogwarts Creature Sanctuary Caretaker
guiding light, second star on the right - * |
former slytherin
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Post by Juniper Fiyero on Jan 19, 2024 17:57:38 GMT -8
the woman exhaled a laugh, gaze softening at his request. she stood from her seat and tucked hairs behind her ear, nodding. “well, i’ve got plenty of whisky, rum and quite the selection of wine. i’ll surprise you, yeah?” juniper was unsure how to feel about drinking with him, but she wasn’t going to deny him, either. the witch glided from the hall to the kitchens, making small hums as she grabbed a bottle of her favorite beetle berry whisky and poured. it didn’t take long for her to return, setting it down by him and moving back to her seat. juni took a slow sip of her own drink, tipping it toward him. “cheers,” she chuckled. “you said you have some questions?”
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Year/Job
Auror
Never meant to be a bad man, I just had a fast hand |
Occulmens
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Post by Rip Winstead on Jan 19, 2024 17:57:44 GMT -8
Something about her breathy laugh stirred something inside him, but he wasn’t quite able to place the feeling. His expression softened as she stood, blue eyes watching as she tucked her hair behind her ear, showing off that beautiful face of hers. Rip swallowed. “Yeah, sounds good,” he replied softly, a small smile pricking at the corner of his lips. His gaze remained fixed on her as she took her leave, his heart speeding up in his chest. He was nervous to be around her. That still hasn’t gone away. Rip worked his jaw while he waited for her to return, his gaze resting on the painting she pointed out last time they were here. It was a remarkable work of art.
He perked up as he heard her footsteps carry her closer to him, glancing over with a smile as she entered and set a glass of amber liquid down in front of him. “Thanks,” he offered before tentatively raising the glass to his lips. She raised her glass and he did the same before taking a drink. It was a sweet, well rounded whiskey and Rip found he quite liked it. He took another sip before lowering the glass to the table and leveling his gaze on her. “Right.” Questions. His mind blanked on any case related questions he could ask her. Why didn’t he have a plan? Rip cleared his throat and gestured to the painting behind her. “Uh, do you paint a lot?”
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Year/Job
Hogwarts Creature Sanctuary Caretaker
guiding light, second star on the right - * |
former slytherin
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Post by Juniper Fiyero on Jan 19, 2024 17:58:20 GMT -8
she watched him sip the whisky, a sheepish grin playing on her pale red lips; if he didn’t like it, he didn’t mind it enough to grimace. juniper lost herself for a moment, green eyes trailing the line of his mouth until his voice struck her and she fixated back to his cerulean gaze. “right,” he said. juniper couldn’t read his expression, and her own was mixed with confusion. she considered that something might be wrong and longed to reach out to touch his arm, but before she could react, he spoke again. “do you paint a lot?”
“i …” but juniper stopped, leaning back in her seat and crossing her legs. she pondered, then nodded. “i used to, yes. the sanctuary has taken a lot of my free time, so, i sketch instead.” the witch grabbed a book from an arms length away on the table, pulling it open and shuffling page by page until she found the sketch she’d done at the start of the year. capricious, full of youthfulness and wonder, and the sanctuary’s greens in the background. juniper looked at it woefully, her tone almost inaudible, “i didn’t color it until after the attack.”
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Year/Job
Auror
Never meant to be a bad man, I just had a fast hand |
Occulmens
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Post by Rip Winstead on Jan 19, 2024 17:58:37 GMT -8
Rip wasn't thinking about how he shouldn't be here. He wasn't thinking about how much younger she was than him or that she was part of his investigation. All he was thinking about was the way her dress clung to her frame, how the color made her eyes pop, and how the scent of vanilla enveloped him like a warm hug. His gaze fell on her plump lips, noting how the curve of them resembled a cupid's bow and part of him (a sizable part) wanted to feel them against his own. Rip sipped on his whiskey as he watched her, his lips twitching upwards into a smile as she was caught off guard by his question.
As Juniper opened her sketchbook and filtered through the pages, Rip leaned forward to get a better look. His body tingled at their close proximity, a fluttering stirring up in his belly. He almost didn't catch her next words she had spoken so softly, but he shifted his gaze from the picture to her face, his heart lurching in his chest. Without thinking about it, he rested his free hand on top of hers, thumb sweeping along her smooth skin. "We'll find the bastards responsible, Juni."
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Year/Job
Hogwarts Creature Sanctuary Caretaker
guiding light, second star on the right - * |
former slytherin
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Post by Juniper Fiyero on Jan 19, 2024 18:01:07 GMT -8
the way he looked at her always made her feel … something. it wasn’t like it was the first time a man had drank her in with his eyes, but it was the first time she welcomed it wholeheartedly. some days, she wanted to call him out for the way he lit up when it came to her. juniper watched the smile play his lips, and she mirrored him in taking the sight in with anticipation rising in her chest.
and then his hand was clasped over hers. juniper felt like the wind had been knocked from her lungs, instinctively setting her other hand atop his. when she smiled this time, it was far more hopeful than it was before. “i believe you,” she said after a small silence. her mind wandered to abernathy and hurt crossed her green eyes. “but i think we already know who did it, don’t we?” it was the first time she had affirmed it to someone else out loud.
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Year/Job
Auror
Never meant to be a bad man, I just had a fast hand |
Occulmens
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Post by Rip Winstead on Jan 19, 2024 18:01:23 GMT -8
Her hand folded on top of his and he could feel his breath catch in his chest. For a moment, he just stared almost longingly into her eyes. Rip leaned in imperceptibly, wanting to take the plunge and kiss her, but he stopped himself. He silently cursed himself for both wanting her and being too cowardly to make a move. All those reasons why he shouldn’t resurfaced, but he wasn’t about to pull away from her when she looked so vulnerable.
Her belief in him was heartening, but seeing the hurt dance in her eyes caused a fire to light up inside him. He wanted to make anyone who would dare harm her pay. His eyes darkened as he thought about the man and he squeezed her hand reassuringly. “We’ll get him and anyone else who took part in it.” It was going to be hard - they covered their tracks well - but Rip would not rest until they were locked up in Azkaban.
With a sigh, he reluctantly leaned back and retracted his hand from hers. His fingers were tingling in the wake of her touch and he took a swig of his whiskey to keep himself from thinking about it. “He’s a wily one, that’s for sure. I just can’t get any dirt on him.” Rip frowned into his glass before bringing it to his lips again. “I think you might have more luck than me; he doesn’t like me like he likes you.”
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Year/Job
Hogwarts Creature Sanctuary Caretaker
guiding light, second star on the right - * |
former slytherin
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Post by Juniper Fiyero on Jan 19, 2024 18:01:53 GMT -8
juniper had to ask herself what exactly she thought she was doing in that moment. he leaned in, and she could feel the anticipation that radiated from them both; she feigned confidence around him to advert the attention away from how holy he made her feel. she knew, albeit wouldn’t admit, the pedestal she felt they held each other on was more than nothing. knowing that, she still couldn’t bring herself to close the gap, however small, between them.
he squeezed her hand and her gaze was brought back down toward the table, and she listened to him with a slight nod of her head. he listened to her when no one else would hear it — and he felt dedicated to the case beyond for just her. she returned his squeeze, swallowing hard as their hands fell from one another. his next words struck her. it wasn’t fear, or anger, merely … anguish. her stomach had dropped, and she shifted her weight in her seat before impatiently finishing the wine in her glass. “i know that you’re right. i arranged to meet him tonight, he’s staying at the gamekeepers hut. 9o’clock.”
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Year/Job
Auror
Never meant to be a bad man, I just had a fast hand |
Occulmens
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Post by Rip Winstead on Jan 19, 2024 18:02:22 GMT -8
Rip was trying not to look at her, the shame of almost kissing her just eating him up inside. They couldn't. It wasn't right. But why did it feel like it was? Why did it feel like he was meant to meet her, meant to kiss her? There were so many emotions swirling around inside him and he couldn't keep his thoughts straight. He knew he wanted her and he thinks that she wants him. But she's twelve years younger than he was. She deserved to meet a nice guy her age to settle down with. Someone who won't leave her far too soon. And the case. Rip didn't mix work with pleasure. This wasn't supposed to be happening. But his gaze kept getting pulled to her, like he was magnetically drawn to her and the more he looked at her the more he thought maybe... maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea.
He watched as she finished her wine and he mirrored her in finishing his own drink. Rip sat the glass on the table with a soft 'ah' before his gaze was pulled back to her. He listened to her voice, to her words, and the gears started turning in his mind. Rip sat up in his seat, staring her in the eye with determination written all over his features. This was their chance. They could nail Abernathy and get to the bottom of this. "I have a cloak," he told her. "I'll be right there the entire time."
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Year/Job
Hogwarts Creature Sanctuary Caretaker
guiding light, second star on the right - * |
former slytherin
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Post by Juniper Fiyero on Jan 19, 2024 18:02:43 GMT -8
as he sat up, juniper looked on with surprise, sitting back deep in her seat to consider his words. she nodded, staring at her empty glass. “i’ll need more of that first,” the witch said quietly. she wanted to reach for rip again, but instead stood from her seat and disappeared down the hall.
when she returned, juniper had two bottles in hand. she slipped around the table, topping up his glass and followed with her own. juniper swigged from it fast, elbow hitting the table as she leaned down. “i don’t want you getting hurt,” she said. “fritz is in his own world, and as harmless as he seems, he’s dangerous.” her green eyes lifted to meet his. “i’m going early. i’d like to catch him off guard.”
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Year/Job
Auror
Never meant to be a bad man, I just had a fast hand |
Occulmens
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Post by Rip Winstead on Jan 19, 2024 18:03:12 GMT -8
A soft chuckle fell out of him and he nodded his agreement. There was plenty of time between then and now. He couldn't get sloshed, but a few drinks weren't going to affect his judgment tonight. Not that he'd want to get drunk around Juniper, especially not now. Rip was liable to do something real stupid if he did.
She was back before long with two bottles in her hand and he couldn't help but chuckle again. He watched as she poured his glass, his eyes focused on her face. She looked so serious and all he wanted to do was see that smile again. "Thanks," he said with a smile, raising his glass to his lips. Rip raised a brow as she took a drink very quickly, his heart lurching at how nervous she must be. He leaned forward in his seat again.
"You don't want me to get hurt?" His expression was one of disbelief. "I've been doing this a long time. I can take someone like Fritz." Hell, he could take three of him all at once. Rip was an excellent dueler. It was her that he was worried about. The other wizard did not look happy to see Rip there last time they talked, and despite how much he clearly liked her, Rip didn't think he was liable to let that go. "Well, then I'm going with you. I don't trust this guy, Juniper and there's no way I'm letting you get yourself hurt."
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Year/Job
Hogwarts Creature Sanctuary Caretaker
guiding light, second star on the right - * |
former slytherin
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Post by Juniper Fiyero on Jan 19, 2024 18:03:55 GMT -8
juniper’s brows furrowed at the agent, a sense of indignance flashing in her eyes. “ask the ministry who i am and you will be surprised to see what it brings. i have been protecting the creatures since that first carriage ride onto the grounds — and let my age fool you not, i have done so fiercely with great pride. i am unbent, unbroken, and no one will take that from me.” the witch stood from her seat, nodding down to him in silent agreeance. “i’ll ready myself, then,” she’d said, this time her tone soft. she exited the dining hall and went for the stairs, her mind a blur of thoughts.
• • • •
after a quick rinse, juniper dressed and pulled her hair into a high ponytail that slung off to the side of her neck. her emerald eyes still burned with determination, and she felt truly ready. slipping her shoes on, and pulling her coat into her arm, juniper headed for the stairs. once at the bottom, she crossed lockwood’s eye, who gave her a skeptical glance before returning back to what he was doing. the witch came back to rip, head tilting to the side. she’d made sure enough time passed that they could leave soon, a stirring hanging heavy in her stomach. “may the odds be ever in our favor,” juniper said. it was a jest, of course, but her tone was grave.
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