Looking into a mirror
Characters: Justin Finch-Fletchley
Date: August 31st 2000
Location: Blue Twilight, Diagon Alley
Status: Public
Summary: Justin punches out of work and decides on a drink before going home.
Completion: Incomplete
( I saw myself in front of a Providencial path )
Date: August 31st 2000
Location: Blue Twilight, Diagon Alley
Status: Public
Summary: Justin punches out of work and decides on a drink before going home.
Completion: Incomplete
( I saw myself in front of a Providencial path )
It was because of this that she found herself out of Hogsmeade altogether, instead back on the Alley: her second time since the attacks, which was turning out to be considerably easier. Walking Diagon today didn't bring to mind much of anything, except that it was getting colder out; Cho had to wonder if this was because she was really getting over it, or because her new plan made it easier to stay numb.
Either way.
It'd be nice to bring something home tonight. She wanted one of those cute little drinks, with all the fruit and fizz -- not for any reason, no, but in a celebration of sorts.
But as soon as she'd entered the Leaky, Cho remembered how little she ever drank, and lingered in the doorway wondering if it was worth it at all.
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His life was much easier than it had been told him it would be and to be honest, Justin didn't mind easy. As long as it was clear and simple, his life could always be easy. No complications.
The door opened and a figure stood in the doorway, though Justin didn't recognise her at first, a smile curled his lips when he finally realised it was Cho. If Justin had any kind of talent, it was in putting faces and names together and remembering them.
He wondered if he should wave at her, invite her over, or if he should let it go. Maybe she was here to meet someone already?
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There were always familiar -- and vaguely familiar -- people wandering this area, and the Leaky Cauldron always seemed to be full of various strangers she may or may not have spoken to once. For this reason it took nearly a minute for her to realise Justin was someone she knew; even then her smile was cautious, despite its earnest gleam.
"Oh!" There was a pause, sheepish. "I know you, don't I! Hello."
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She didn't usually like to sit alone, if she could help it -- while walking down the Alley alone had been getting easier and easier, it was difficult to remain anywhere like this (crowded, loud) without at least a familiar face nearby. She'd improved to the point where she could sit at the bar alone for the moment it took to finish a drink, but as ever it was a matter of preference.
"You remember me -- Cho," she said brightly after a moment. (Even if it was common that people often knew her name as she forgot theirs: a kind of social curse.) "You know ... I think I've missed you, at the reunions; were you there? Of course, not everyone from the DA managed attending. We've all made ourselves rather busy."
"How have you been, at that? I hope well," she chattered. Justin was more and more familiar by the moment. "It's been such a long while since school."
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Whenever he was asked to do some overtime, he did. Last thing he wanted as to borrow money from his parents for his independency's sake so making more money today might mean that he'd be able to live a bit more comfortably later.
"I'm doing well, thank you very much. How about you?" he asked back, curious to know more about how his former classmates and people from Hogwarts were in general.
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Cho was in a constant battle with the concept. There had been several months of sincere effort when it came to preparing food, and thus far she had shown nothing but a mediocre talent at various English dishes and exotic desserts. It wasn't fair; she'd wanted to be excellent, especially considering.
But otherwise--
"I'm well, thank you. Actually... You could say I'm very well." She gave him a pert smile, looking down at the glass she'd ordered with mild regret. "I play for a symphony now: Paraselsus Wizarding. It's been a lovely time."
This was the sort of chatter she'd give anyone, even if things hadn't been so wonderful for a long time; at least it there was truth in what she said. Cho had regained a confidence that had seemed to die in the North, in her place.
And then there was that something else, of course, a something she never minded talking about at all now that she could.
"I'm married now -- since April." The words put a color to her face; her grin widened, tender.
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"Oh symphony, sounds wonderful. I love music. All kinds of it actually." His knowledge as far as music was concerned wasn't as wide as he'd like, but he could appreciate good music whenever he heard some.
Married.
No wait, did she really say married?
His eyebrow raised and he looked at her, not in surprise but in curiosity. "Married?" he asked for real this time and not only in his mind. "Mind if I ask who the lucky bloke is?"
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Unfortunately.
Her face remained bright, however, and brightened still. "You should come to a performance, then! It's good fun, I think; if I wasn't playing I would certainly come watch instead."
Justin's reaction to the rest of her news was one of the milder; still, Cho couldn't help feeling a little amused at the look on his face. She didn't really mind what people thought of her marriage, or who she'd happened to marry -- that mattered very little in the end, after all, and she was certain even Molly would warm to the idea eventually. (Even if the woman's anger often weighed on her considerably -- there was no avoiding that.)
She took a sip of her drink, drawing out the moment... because of course, the biggest surprise wasn't always that she was married, not exactly, but rather that it was to--
"Percy Weasley."
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"I sure will. Just keep me updated about the concerts and I'll try to get some evenings off for them." Justin loved music and certainly admired anyone who could play an instrument. Before he had recieved his letter, he had started a few guitar lessons, but never went far with that. He wasn't even sure he could remember how to play the few notes he used to know.
"Percy Weasley?" he asked as a confirmation that he had heard properly. "I don't know the Weasleys all that much, but I am sure he must be a good bloke if you married him, right?"
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Precise numbers, reactions and rules: all of those were things she'd never have in life, so it was comforting to know that at least somewhere they counted.
"Of course, of course. Lovely of you! You won't regret it, I hope -- I think we're quite good." She smirked lightly to herself, running a hand through her hair. "Or so I've been told."
(It wasn't arrogance! It was honesty. Sort of.)
I am sure he must be a good bloke if you married him. Cho could only nod at that; there really was a sort of goodness in Percy, even if it had had a tendency once to apply itself incorrectly. "Yes -- I think he's lovely. He's been lovely to me." Even if once she would've never believed any of this would happen. A common sentiment.
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He realised only once the words had come out that it could be interpreted the wrong way and his eyes widened. "It's not that I don't believe in any of it, I assure you. Look at my parents, have been married for 26 years themselves." The truth was that even though he did have a rational thinking about love, relationship and marriage and knew it could happen to him, he had no idea what it actually looked and felt like to be in love.
"It's not something I have experience with myself though." Justin tilted his head and looked at Cho with some sort of curiosity. "Are you two planning on having children?" Considering the Weasleys reputation, it certainly was an interesting question.
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Twenty six years!
"Oh," she enunciated. "Have they?" Cho blushed, grinning; that was eons longer than she could comprehend, though she suspected it was the sort of eons that could sneak up on a couple if they weren't careful. She and Percy had only just celebrated a year together, and they were no where near a wedding anniversary -- the thought made her bounce slightly as she took another sip, feeling the alcohol sparkle along her bloodstream. "I... I've never really known a couple that's been together so long, I don't think." Her own parents had never been married to begin with.
And then...
Well.
It wasn't as if by now Cho wasn't used to this subject; it seemed to be everyone's favorite. But she still had to stop and clear her throat, searching for words -- because honestly. Honestly. It was a surprising every time anyway, because she hardly considered the idea on her own anymore.
"Children? I -- well, no. Not really. I mean, of course it's come up, but... Certainly not in the near future, I can assure you."
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"I'm sorry I'm rambling. I'm incredibly happy for you and I do wish you and Percy a long and incredibly fullfilled life together."
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As much as the topic got to her at times, she had never been presented the idea of children with that sort of logic: energy, and all that. No one had ever said they genuinely thought it had advantages; most of the time they simply teased her and made bets, or (in father's case) worried about their own continuing line.
Perhaps this was something else to think about.
"Please, don't apologise," she said at last, turning back to Justin with a smile. "It's good to hear someone speak so openly. And what do you know? That is my wish as well."
She thought for a moment, wondering if she wouldn't overstep, but -- "What about you? Is there anyone in your life, lately?"
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