Back to Basics

[Alaric Snyder]

The semester had gone by quicker than Alaric had expected and just like that he was out of a job, or at least back to where he had been before Hogwarts. If Alaric committed to staying in New Zealand he would need a permanent position. Teaching had been fun but it wasn't something he saw himself doing long term. Being a curse breaker was what he knew, it was what loved, but it was a young mans game, it was dangerous and it took him all over the world. These were both things that had attracted him to the profession, but he found himself wanting something more stable, something he could depend on. He just didn't know what that was.

Alaric returned to the small apartment he had been renting since moving to New Zealand. The entire place was coated with a thin layer of dust after not being entered for four months. It had only taken few waves of his wand to clean the place up, but even in its pristine state it was still depressingly small and unwelcoming. Alaric needed to move if he planned on staying, and he was pretty sure he was staying. After spending a semester where she worked, Alaric was pretty sure Kennedy was dating someone, and he was pretty sure he knew who it was, but he hadn't heard it from either of them. It didn't matter, his ex fiance was no longer a factor in deciding where he lived. Alaric had grown attached to New Zealand. Kennedy in his life or not, Alaric was there to stay, which meant he needed to make some changes.

A job and a home were top of list of priorities, but for now Alaric wanted to settle back into the area after being away for four months. He found himself in a coffee shop, sitting outside and watching the world go by. In the short time he had been back from Hogwarts a lot had been decided and a lot had to be actioned, but for a day at least Alaric wanted to relax and watch. A lot needed to be done, but Alaric had all the time in the world.

 

[Jeremy Thorne]

It was the middle of his shift, so Jeremy was parked in his favorite coffee shop, a book in his lap and a half eaten scone and cup of tea on the table. The man rarely spent his breaks outside of the hospital, but he'd wanted some space to think about his upcoming trip and all of the paperwork that he still needed to get done before he'd bring his daughter home. Jeremy still couldn't believe it, but it was true. In a few months time, the man would be a father to a bright eyed little girl. He could hardly wait and had been using the help of his friends to help decorate the little girl's room. Jeremy knew that he should heed their advice to wait and see what the girl liked, but he was too excited and figured that he could always change the paint scheme with the wave of his wand if need be. The Ravenclaw in him needed to be prepared and educated, which had led him to the library and to Flourish & Blotts where he'd purchased every book he could find on adoption and parenting. Currently, he was reading Bonding with your Little Wizard.

Although he knew that he should be stressed about this huge decision, and a part of him was, Jeremy was suddenly feeling like life had clicked even more into place. He had a successful career and a good life, though it was a quiet one. And he knew that a child would just make it all the more fulfilling. Taking a break from his book, Jeremy glanced up to see a man sitting across from him who also looked like he was having a decent day. Or perhaps he was just projecting his own feelings onto the man. Uncharacteristically forward, Jeremy lifted his cup in cheer. "Good day, huh?" he grinned, the smile reaching his eyes.