(Untitled)

[cards_n_badgers]

Who: Ernie, Hannah and Susan. Possibly Justin.
Where and when: The Bones Cottage (AKA Home), Ernie's knock off time.
Status: Open

Comments

[_susie_bones_]

Susan returned the kiss to his cheek, grinning. "I was about to get really pouty if Hannah got a kiss and I didn't." Susan laughed as Ernie made his way through the house.

"That's some whirlwind of a boyfriend you've got there, love," she said to Hannah, crossing her legs under her on the couch.

"You know you could take five minutes and just sit," she called after him. "I promise that whatever you're doing is still going to be there when you're done taking a breath. And, that's fine with me. I was just planning on ordering in, so I hope no one is expecting any sort of decadent meal."

[cards_n_badgers]

Ernie placed his shoes by the wardrobe, hung up his work robes and shuffled through some of his papers. He heard Susan and laughed.

"I'm sure that will be okay, Sus," Ernie called. "Its not like Justin's a snooty connoisseur of fine cousine. His idea of a treat is being allowed to have beer with his dinner. And I'll just be a sec."

Looking down at the pile of forms Ernie shook his head, giving them up as a bad job. He filed them in a draw and went back into the living room.

[_susie_bones_]

"How do you guys feel about Chinese?" she asked as Ernie returned to the room. "I'm kind of really in the mood for some beef and broccoli and chow mein. Although, I'm sure I could eat anything right now."

Susan picked at her nails, the Daily Prophet open in her lap. "I think I'm going back to work next week," she said offhandedly. Her eyes skimmed over the Opinions section before she closed the paper and threw it on the table.

[cards_n_badgers]

"Sounds delicious," Ernie replied as he sat down on the couch next to Hannah.

The tea cup tinkled as Ernie conjured it out of thin air. He took a sip just as Susan voiced her thoughts.

"Are you sure?" Ernie asked.

[_susie_bones_]

Susan leaned into the back of the couch, closing her eyes slowly and taking a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm sure. I can't sit around here thinking anymore. I need something that's going to occupy my mind. Mindless work for the department is just what I need," she said, tucking her hair behind her ears.

[__hannah_abbott]

Hannah rested her head on Ernie's shoulder, not saying a word as she observed the exchange between him and her best friend. She frowned at Susan's last reply and finally uttered, "Great, now I don't have anyone to test my baked goods. Though I suppose I should go back to work, too." A moment's contemplation, and she continued, "I haven't exactly been out of the house,"

[cards_n_badgers]

Ernie looked down at Hannah and tightened his arm around her. He looked over at Susan. Ernie realised how much easier it was for him knowing they were at home. With everything they've been through, he's been more worried about them than ever. Hannah was stolen from him from within the Ministry itself. A place he's always thought was safe, impenetrable even. But they're strong, capable women, Ernie told himself. Quite able to look after themselves. Stop worrying you backward old fuddy-duddy. But of course he couldn't.

Ernie hitched a smile on his face and faced Susan. "If it's what you really want, Sus, I support your decision."

He tried not to look at Hannah. It's true she hasn't been out of the house. He was hoping on taking small steps: Picnics in the park, going to the muggle movies, small steps. He tried not to let the worry show. Smiling, he conjured drinks for his girls.

[unpetrified]

"Where's mine?" Justin asked as he apparated inside his friends' living room. Of couse he could act like a decent human being and apparate on the doorstep, but he really didn't do that sort of thing. Besides, it was just Ernie. And Hannah. And Susan.

Susan. He found her lounging lazily on the couch and at once he felt that familiar lurch behind his belly button - that odd feeling he gets whenever she's around him these days. He gave her a brief smile.

[cards_n_badgers]

The pop of Justin's apparition nearly made Ernie spill his drink over himself, but he caught it just in time. Justin's satisfied smirk wasn't lost on Ernie but he was just happy to see his friend; it had been too long.

"Hey! About time you got here. How are you?" Ernie asked with a big grin as he held out his hand to his best mate.

[unpetrified]

"Fantastic, mate," Justin shook Ernie's hand firmly, clapping his best mate's shoulder with his other hand. "Long time, eh?"

It certainly has been a while since he mingled with his mates. Work took the bulk of his time, but there were other reasons for his being MIA.

He looked over at the two lovely ladies seated on the couch, grinning, hoping they weren't pissed at him, still.

[cards_n_badgers]

"Sure has been. Grab a seat." Ernie conjured a drink for Justin and sat with his arm around Hannah once more.

He looked around at this little scene and wondered how long had it been since they were last like this. But even through the friendly atmosphere there was a distinct tension.

"So how's work been, Justin. Busy I take it?"

[unpetrified]

Justin plopped himself on one of the squashy seats, stretching his long legs out in front of him as he sank on the cushions.

“Oh yeah, it’s been incredibly demanding. I really wouldn’t carry on with it if father wasn’t…”

He stopped himself, realizing that during his absence, there have been many a detail in his life that he didn’t let his mates in on: his father’s terminal illness, his mother’s affair, his brief alcohol dependency… but all that were in the past now. Or at least, he has learned to deal with it one way or another.

The intense stares of his friends made him fidget in his seat.

“Father is, you know, getting old and everything…” he managed and quickly took a sip of his drink.

[cards_n_badgers]

Ernie's eyes narrowed slightly at Justin fidgeting in his seat but made smiled when Justin caught his eye.

"Yeah. I really should visit your dad. It's been a while and he was always a great laugh whenever I was over. And your mum. Does she still make that carrot cake?"

Ernie watched his friend, a slight frown of worry creasing his forehead.

[unpetrified]

"Oh yeah, all the time," Justin nodded half-heartedly, avoiding Ernie's eyes. (Lie. His mum hasn't been home in a month.) "You should come by sometime... Anyway, enough about me. How are you lot?"

[cards_n_badgers]

"I will. Sometimes when we're both off work." With their schedules Ernie knew this would be hard but Justin looked uncomfortable and he wanted to give his mate some leeway.

Ernie changed the subject. "The girls were just saying they're thinking of going back to work."

Ernie wanted to press his friend for details but he didn't want their first group get together in a while to be horribly tense. He let it go. For now. Maybe a few beers some other time will help.