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 Feb 4, 2024 14:02:26 GMT -8
Rip was starting to feel overwhelmed. The wizard was working on three big cases at once on top of training his younger brother to be an auror and the stress was starting to get to him. To make matters worse, that reporter from the Prophet has been hanging around and asking more questions giving Rip a headache. He didn’t understand why she cared about his life in America, but the witch was rather persistent. Rip was unmovable, though, and it was frustrating to both of them. He couldn’t talk about his past with Juniper, he definitely wasn’t going to tell a reporter.
And speaking of Juniper… that was another headache for him. There was no denying he was feeling something pretty strong for the witch and he was having a difficult time staying away from her. He didn’t know if he could commit to another relationship after how his last one ended. That was seventeen years ago and Rip hasn’t dated since. There were a lot of muddied feelings that came up when it came to Juniper and he was just at a complete loss.
With everything going on, Rip was run down and tired. Friday came and went and, when Rip woke that Saturday morning, he decided that he was long overdue for a drink. Or two. Or seven. The burly wizard Apparated to Hogsmeade to discover it was Hogsmeade weekend for the students and professors. The village was busy, busier than he liked, and there was no way he was holing up in the Three Broomsticks with it so overpopulated. The students didn’t need to see some grown wizard drinking away his sorrows at ten in the morning.
Rip decided to make his way to the Hogs Head, safely away from all the hustle and bustle. He stepped inside and sat himself at the bar, leaning into the counter with his arms and signaling to the barkeep. “Firewhisky neat, and keep them coming,” he told the man, reaching into his pocket to pull out a few galleons and dump them on the bar. The drink was made in record time and Rip raised the glass to his lips to down it in one go, wincing at the burn. He signaled for another and he raised the glass to his lips again for a swig.
Mael Gauthier
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Year/Job
POTIONS PROFESSOR
Days Since Something Exploded: 0 |
BLAKE
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Post by Mael Gauthier on Feb 4, 2024 18:38:17 GMT -8
Mael slowly came back to the waking world as the sun beamed through a gap in the curtains. He rolled over, grumbling to himself, and dozed back off to sleep for another thirty or so minutes. It was his off day, and he had no reason to wake up before the roosters. Not that there were any near his place of residence. Eventually, he managed to crawl out of bed. A hot shower and a cup of coffee loaded with more sugar and cream than should be legal, and he was ready to start his day. He went about the house moving things from one spot to the other for the sake of change. To be honest, he was a bit bored. The house was quiet, with not even an owl to keep him company. It didn't take him long to decide he was going back to the castle today.
He was well aware that it was Hogsmeade weekend, but he decided to take a detour to Hog's Head Inn. One or two drinks would be fine. It wasn't as if he'd been tasked with watching the future witches and wizards of tomorrow. No, he was free to do as he pleased. If need be, he'd just go home and sleep it off before he went back to the castle. Easy fix.
He ordered his drink and was halfway through the tall glass when some gentleman waltzed in and ordered Firewhisky. He watched in awe as the man knocked the drink back and instantly requested for another. His head tilted to the side. "Rough week," he asked with a small smile playing across his lips. Mael had no issue talking with complete strangers. How else did people meet people? When he'd first arrived here, he'd mainly been focused on finding employment, but when he wasn't preoccupied, the nightlife had been his best friend.
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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 Feb 4, 2024 23:09:27 GMT -8
The liquor burned on its way down and Rip savored the feeling. His body was tense, his shoulders aching. He moved a hand to rub the muscle in an attempt to soothe the feeling as he lifted the glass to his lips again. A man's voice rang in his ears and he turned his head toward the sound. Rip grunted in response, sipping more on his drink. "Something like that," he responded gruffly, setting the glass down on the counter. The older wizard frowned at it, his eyes taking in the deep amber color. He looked back over at the other man, noting his half-empty glass. At least he wasn't the only one drinking this early in the day. "You?" he asked tentatively. Rip wasn't much for talking to strangers, but sometime in the last several weeks he'd found himself... more willing to open up to others. He knew it was likely Juniper's influence and the thought brought a pang with it. She could make any wizard change his ways, but he felt extreme guilt for not being able to give all of himself to her. He couldn't give her what she wanted. Rip frowned again and brought his drink to his lips for another swig.
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Year/Job
POTIONS PROFESSOR
Days Since Something Exploded: 0 |
BLAKE
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Post by Mael Gauthier on Feb 5, 2024 8:09:30 GMT -8
Mael could come in for something light bright and early in the morning, but whiskey was pushing it. He was not going to knock back shots before the morning dew had been burned off by the rays of the sun. Even if he'd had the longest week of his life, there was no way he could pull the same stunt as this man. Curiosity tugged at the platinum haired male, and he couldn't help but run through the possibilities of things that could have pushed this gentleman over the edge. Was it work or was it personal? What line of work could drive a man to drink hard liquor this early? Had he gone through a recent divorce? Perhaps his spouse had threatened to take his kids away? Maybe he'd killed a man! Mael studied the gentleman a bit more, fully taking in the details. He didn't look like the type to kill a man. Maybe he'd just seen a dead body. The list was endless. When the question was turned back on him, Mael shook his head. "Just killing time before I have to return to my responsibilities," he mused. He watched Rip go back to his drink. He was trying to determine how he could coax the man into telling him about his woes. "You plan on running your pockets dry," he asked.
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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 Feb 5, 2024 8:35:38 GMT -8
Rip couldn’t care less about his drinking right now. There was too much on his mind, too much heaviness on his heart, and he needed to numb the pain for a little while. His thoughts kept pulling back to what Juniper had said to him when she confronted him about that first kiss. What has seventeen years of silence brought you? Isolation. It isn’t healthy. His past had been weighing heavy on him since then. How could he possibly tell her about the things he’s been through? The things he’s done? On top of the guilt he felt for not being able to share that part of him, he had to go and sleep with her. It was a whole mess and he didn’t know what the hell he was doing. The man ran a stressed hand down his face, breathing heavily out of his nose.
If his mama could see how he’s been acting lately, she’d be ashamed. She taught him too well to be lacking in basic mannerisms, but he had managed to be rude to everyone who crossed his path. It was the stress, he told himself, but that was no excuse. Rip sighed and turned toward the blonde haired wizard and stuck his hand out. “Name’s Rip,” he introduced himself before giving a shake of his head. “I just need to clear my head today. Figured a few would do the trick.” Movement caught his eye and he turned his head to look, finding a copy of the Daily Prophet with his face plastered on it. So the story must have run. Rip’s brows furrowed a bit, but he ignored the paper and turned back to the other wizard. “Mind me asking what responsibilities brought you to the Hog’s Head?”
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Year/Job
POTIONS PROFESSOR
Days Since Something Exploded: 0 |
BLAKE
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Post by Mael Gauthier on Feb 5, 2024 8:53:58 GMT -8
The seconds ticked by and Mael was convinced the man was fighting demons. He wasn't sure he was ready to join the man in going down the rabbit hole. Rip ran his hand down his face, and that was a tell-tale sign of distress if Mael ever saw it. He was ready to down his drink and head off, but the man took a strange three sixty and offered his hand. He even went so far as to introduce himself. The Belgium wizard shook the offered hand and gave a small smile. "Mael." Was it too soon to ask how this man's parents had come up with the name Rip. It was pretty badass. "From my experience, it makes things fuzzy," he mused with that same friendly expression he always held. He briefly looked at the paper since that's where Rip's attention had shifted to for a heartbeat. Mael saw the man's face, but couldn't quite read the headliner from where he was sitting. "The Three Broomsticks is filled with my students. I teach Potions," he answered. "Don't worry, it's my off day."
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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 Feb 5, 2024 9:43:23 GMT -8
The man was certainly dealing with some demons, but it wasn't anything he was willing to share with anyone. Maybe his brother, but JJ had other things on his mind than Rip's nonsense. Besides, that wasn't really the kind of relationship he had with his brother. He didn't even know if his parents told his siblings the truth about what had happened. He might not even know... either way, Rip was determined to shove the thoughts out of his mind and try to relax and let loose a little, something he's had a difficult time with lately. The wizard hummed thoughtfully and raised his glass to his lips again, thankful for the burn as it traveled down his gullet. "Fuzzy is fine by me," he said in a low voice, his accent thick. Just anything other than the constant battle that was waging in his head.
He had asked about the Mael's profession and he listened as he answered, nodding his head. So he worked at Hogwarts... Rip wondered idly if he was familiar with Juniper at all. He offered a half-hearted smile when he said it was his off day. "Mine, too," he said, lifting his drink up in a salute. "Obviously." Rip knocked the rest back and set the cup down on the counter, his fingers lightly tapping against the glass. "Been here seventeen years and I still don't know many of the professors up there. Not much need for an Auror at Hogwarts these days. My partner's married to one; I forget what she teaches." He was fairly familiar with Iola thanks to her high profile case over a decade ago and her connection with his partner. Rip was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol, a warmth flooding through him and his head pleasantly spinning. His lips were a little numb, but maybe that's what was causing them to be so loose. The barkeep filled his glass and Rip nodded at him in thanks.
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Year/Job
POTIONS PROFESSOR
Days Since Something Exploded: 0 |
BLAKE
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Post by Mael Gauthier on Feb 5, 2024 10:46:25 GMT -8
As Rip continued to spoil his liver, Mael finished the last of his drink. He waved the barkeep over and requested another, plus two shots of firewhisky. One for himself, the other for his new friend. Mael figured it was the least he could do for his unexpected company. He didn't think this man was a bad person. His picture was on the paper, but Mael didn't fancy reading the news. It was all hogwash and petty gossip. So long as Rip wasn't dressed in Azkaban strips and smiling from behind bars, everything was peachy. Whatever concerns he might have had were removed as the man admitted to being Auror.
"You're American?" He'd only just noticed the man's accent. Once Rip had started talking more than a few short sentences, it was clearer to hear. Mael started on his second glass, leaving the firewhisky where it was. "Plenty of good people up that way," Mael told him. Most had welcomed him with open arms. Anita and Keelin helped make the transition a lot easier. When Elsie had shown up, he'd been happy to make a friend out of her too. Rip started his partner was married to someone at Hogwarts, but couldn't remember who the lucky girl was. He ruled out all three of his friends. Anita and Elsie weren't married. Keelin was divorced.
He picked up the shot glass and waved it in the air. "To off days," he cheered, nodding towards the second shot. If he wanted to be fuzzy, then fuzzy they could be. Mael made a mental note to go home and sleep before he went back to the castle.
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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 Feb 5, 2024 14:05:47 GMT -8
Rip nodded solemnly when Mael asked if he was American. “Born and bred in Oklahoma,” he said in his thick southern accent. No one knew he was barred from ever entering the country again, landing him here in England. Not many people asked and Rip liked it that way. His eyes followed the barkeep as he set down two shots of firewhisky, the man nodding his thanks. He felt a rush of gratitude for the simple gesture, looking at the wizard in a new light. He was alright, he decided as he brought his glass to his lips for a swig. Mael said something about there being a lot of good professors up at Hogwarts. “I know her name is Iola,” he said. “Nice gal. Been through some hard times, but who hasn’t am I right?”
The other wizard raised his shot glass in a toast and a warm smile touched his lips as he did the same. “To off days,” he repeated before knocking back the shot, wincing once more at the burn. “I’ll take a beer after this, thanks,” Rip said to the barkeep, motioning to his glass of whisky. Three was enough for him. He was already feeling pretty tipsy, his earlier troubles dissipating some. No matter how much he drank or how hard he tried, though, he could never get those green eyes outta his head. Rip let out a sigh and brought his glass to his lips once more. “There needs to be a potion that’ll make you forget things,” he said with a frown. “I’m sure many people would like to have it.” It wasn’t like Rip to air his frustrations to others, especially not strangers or new friends. Maybe the whisky wasn’t such a good idea after all.
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Year/Job
POTIONS PROFESSOR
Days Since Something Exploded: 0 |
BLAKE
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Post by Mael Gauthier on Feb 5, 2024 14:53:19 GMT -8
Mael didn't know where Oklahoma was, nor did he intend to ask. He knew the United States of America was broken up into a bunch of states. He knew that Texas was the biggest one of them all. That was about as much as he knew about America. "Always nice to meet another foreigner," he told the older man. Mael really did like meeting people that weren't from here. He'd been born and raised in Belgium. The man said the woman's name was Iola. "She's the DADA Professor. I know here," he told Rip. "She won't switch rooms with me. I hate the dungeons, but she's got all the sunlight to spare." He had ignored the part about Iola having gone through rough times. One, Mael didn't know Professor Walker that well. Two, Mael had never had the displeasure of going through hard times. His life had been relatively easy compared to some of the people he knew. He liked to consider himself lucky.
His blue-grey eyes reflected approval as Rip switched to a beer for his next drink. It was a good decision. The Potion's Professor looked at him curiously. Was the man trying to drown his sorrows? He swirled the liquid in his glass. "There are," he answered. "But no one has quite figured out how to remove distinct memories instead of the whole thing." Mael looked up at the ceiling. "Memories, good or bad make us who we are, but eventually one of us Potion Masters will figure it out." He ran a hand through his hair.
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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 Feb 6, 2024 10:12:34 GMT -8
"You're from..." he said, his brows pulling together as he tried to piece together his accent. "Germany?" Rip had made it his job to be observant and, after nearly two decades living in the UK, he had learned how to recognize certain accents. He could distinguish a Liverpool accent to a London accent and, while there weren't quite as many foreigners, he had come accustomed to the different dialects he's heard over the years. "I had a partner from Germany once," he offered, sipping on his drink. The older wizard let out a soft hmm as Mael talked about his experience with Iola. There wasn't much for him to say on that matter. Though, he supposed if he had the choice, he wouldn't want to be holed up in the dungeons, either.
It didn't escape his notice, the approving glint in the man's eyes as he switched up his choice of drink. Rip honestly didn't care if he had been concerned about his drinking whisky; the reasons why were his own business and he knew his limits. The alcohol was affecting him some, his lips a lot looser than they would be normally, and he started to muse about forgetting. Rip listened as the wizard spoke, bringing his whisky to his lips for a swig. His blue gaze fell onto the drink in his hand, watching the amber liquid swirl around the glass as a small frown marred his features. In truth, he didn't want to forget about Juniper. Or Jenn, for that matter. All he wanted was a bit of peace away from these persistent thoughts and images. "Maybe just a Draught of Peace will do," he said after a moment. Or a strong Sleeping Draught. Perhaps he'd brew it himself if these thoughts continued to haunt him.
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Year/Job
POTIONS PROFESSOR
Days Since Something Exploded: 0 |
BLAKE
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Post by Mael Gauthier on Feb 6, 2024 17:09:26 GMT -8
"Not quite," Mael told him. "Belgium." He was fluent in German, as well as French and Dutch. His mother was of German descent, and it was she who had taught all of her children her native tongue. He had been to Germany countless times. It was a beautiful country, and if he hadn't found a home here, he might have moved there. His mother might have been more inclined to visit had that been the case. In five years, not once had she crossed the sea to visit him. His father had come on two occasions. Mael didn't think less of them for it. Instead, he made it a point to visit them. All of his siblings still resided in Belgium as well, so it didn't bother him. "Where they a good partner," he asked. The better question was, what had happened to them? If Iola's husband was Rip's current partner, what had been the cause for change? Mael was going to go with the more positive route of reassignment.
"A difficult potion to brew, but not outside my capabilities. I wouldn't be much of a Potions Master if I couldn't." Mael downed the rest of his glass. "I don't have any on hand. I usually only keep a supply of Calming Draught for the Healer, but I'm happy to brew you up some if you want." Mael looked at Rip with bright eyes. If the man was seriously that bothered, then Mael would help him out free of charge. It would give him something to do, and Mael could use something fun to brew.
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