013 [Filtered to Greg Lestrade]

[rule_britannia]

Do you have a minute?

[Understatement. He'll need more than a minute]

I need a word.

Comments

[rule_britannia]

[Sigh...

Arthur closes his eyes for a moment and forces his shoulders to relax. He pulls his hands from his pockets and walks back over to Greg, placing one on his shoulder]

You're a good friend. The best.

[di_intraining]

[Greg meets his eyes in return. There's sadness, unexplainable sadness within, but also relief, happiness and joy. As Arthur puts one hand on his shoulder, so does Greg return the movement from his side.]

I don't know about myself, but you're a great friend Arthur. I'm glad to have you as one.

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur grins, and it's relieved. He hadn't really wanted to walk away and leave it like that]

Are we good?

[di_intraining]

[Greg matches Arthur's grin with one of his own, perhaps with more relief.]

We're always good.

[rule_britannia]

[He lets out a soft exhale, pats Greg's shoulder, then drops his hand]

Good. I'm glad.

[di_intraining]

[He removes his hand too. While he wears a smile of relief on his face though, that small seed of doubt had already been planted inside him. Victoria had unknowingly planted it in the hurt that John had left behind, and this incident had only served to water it even further.]

Dining Hall? It's getting cold out here, and I'm itching for some dinner.

[rule_britannia]

Sounds great. It's early yet, I'll see if I can't get away with sitting with you.

[He flashes a quick smile and falls into step beside the other boy as they head back to the castle]

[di_intraining]

I think it's my turn to sit at Slytherin table though. Bets on how long it'll take before some of the regular nutters start getting on our case about how pure-bloods and mugbloods are supposed to be ripping at each other rather than the turkey?

Or do you reckon we could get Victoria to join us as well?

[rule_britannia]

It's a possibility.

[He makes a thoughtful sound]

If we do get the nutters on our case again, do you want to petrify them or shall I?

[di_intraining]

We can let her know through the journals.

Split them, 50-50? If it's just the one, I'll let you have the honors.

[rule_britannia]

Oh, you're too good to me, you know? Can you write while you walk? I could try but I don't think she could read my handwriting.

[Which is horrendous to begin with]

[di_intraining]

[He smirks as he pulls out his journal from his bag and starts writing the invitation out to Victoria.]

Well I'm a generous bloke. And you've always had a good hand for that spell anyway.

[rule_britannia]

There's something just so incredibly satisfying about it.

[He grins cockily]

I think it's something about the thud as they hit the ground.

[di_intraining]

I prefer the looks on their faces myself.

[There's a matching smirk to Arthur's cocky grin as he slips the journal back into the back.]

[rule_britannia]

Ah, yes.. the priceless expression as they wonder what just happened.

[He laughs]

You can really be rather devious when you've the mind for it, can't you?

[di_intraining]

What, me? I have no idea what you're talking about Arthur.

[Someone's been learning a bit too much sarcasm/snark from Victoria, if that innocent look he's giving Arthur is any indication.]

[rule_britannia]

[He stares for a moment]

... You've been spending too much time around my cousin.

[di_intraining]

That a good thing or a bad one?

[rule_britannia]

... We'll see.

[Pause, thinking]

You've been spending a fair bit of time with her since school started, now I think of it, haven't you?

[di_intraining]

I guess. I offered to teach her some Keeper basics, seeing as she was trying out for the team. And then we kept bumping into each other around Hogwarts too.

[rule_britannia]

Hmn.. I suppose it's something of a relief to know she's finally managing to make friends aside from me.

[di_intraining]

[What Arthur says reminds him of his conversation with Victoria just a day or two ago. She had only mentioned Arthur and Madeline, hadn't she?]

...she doesn't have that many friends? I thought she'd have a few, charming girl like herself.

[And he really does mean that; there isn't a drop of sarcasm in his tone because really, she's a polite and helpful girl. He couldn't see people not liking her. She could be annoying, but surely there were girls who'd be friendly with Victoria.]

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur shakes his head slightly]

She's always had trouble making friends. I've never understood it, myself..

[They're so alike, after all, and Arthur never has the problems that Victoria has]

[di_intraining]

Hmm. Well, I could try introducing her to some of the Hufflepuff girls. I think they'd get along, at the very least.

[rule_britannia]

[He smiles a bit, but it looks a little forced]

I'd appreciate that.