Pals & Pints

Robert had been glad after the skirmish at the school to get home and get a decent night's sleep, check on his family, check on the patients at St. Mungos and try to sort things out at the ministry. He felt relatively refreshed, but now he felt like he had triple the work to do and fewer people to do it with.

He took a break for a late lunch and descended upon the Leaky. He had decided to spoil himself with his favorite from the Leaky, their fish and chips. The batter on the fish was always crispy and he preferred to douse his chips with malt vinegar. He had paired his lunch with a pint of dark stout and had chosen a rather quiet corner--if there ever really was such thing in the pub.

He took a swig from the pint and set it down on the table. A man nearby lit a pipe with a warm, rich smelling tobacco that made him feel that he should have, at some point, taken up a pipe. Mikey would have supplied him with a whole collection of Mershon pipes, but Robert believed that half of them would have been stolen. He picked up a copy of the Daily Prophet left behind at the empty table across from him and scanned the grim headlines.

Thaor was sleepless, and decided to head to the leaky cauldron. He wasn't sure what reactions he would get. He was sure the Daily Prophet had a hay day about the battle. No doubt he was outed as the leader of the Death Eaters, and that it was he who had been at the school when the battle started, and he lead them there. It would take a lot to cover this up. It became apparent to him that Robert and himself had overlooked that fact. He knew he would be resigning as CoMC Professor and Deputy Headmaster today. He'd offer to assist with anything he could. But Doyle probably would have nothing to do with him. As Thaor entered the Leaky Cauldron, he scanned his surroundings, and saw Robert sitting alone in one of the secluded corners. He approached him. Here with all your friends Robert? Thaor said with a laugh. Mind if I take a seat?

Robert smiled, seeing Thaor. "Please. Have a seat. I just ordered some Fish and Chips. Its the only time I get them. Kate refuses to let me have them otherwise. She's determined on keeping me healthy. Can I buy you a drink of some sort? Maybe some lunch?" He studied Thaor. "You look like hell, Mate. You look like you didn't get much sleep. Hogwarts doesn't seem to be suiting you anymore. Especially after the last few days. Thank you for getting Khaat out of that fire. She's fine. I checked on her myself this morning. I owe you for that. She'd have died if it hadn't been for you."

He handed Thaor the headlines that was the Prophet's own spin on the battle. "The Quibbler's version is, of course a lot more distorted," Robert said. "This one comes closest to being anywhere near accurate. And I'm afraid neither are exactly correct."

Thaor took a seat. I'm not too hungry, seeing charred bodies ruins ones appetite. Thaor said with a slight chuckle. Thaor glanced over the prophet. What more could you expect? It seems I'll have to have dinner with my friend at Venificus Novus. He'll set the record straight. Thaor said with a smile.

I would however, like a pint, it's been a while. What do you reccomend?

As for Hogwarts,I'm heading there to resign after I leave here. I've been in touch with my friends at the Australian Ministry, it seems they have an open position as the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. It'll give me a chance to settle down. Open a wand shop there. I promise to visit often. I promise Mother, I will Thaor laughed with a smile. The decision wasn't something he was taking lightly. He put a lot of thought into this, and decided it was in his best interest.

"Well, first of all, I'd recommend the stout," Robert smiled. "It seems Jess has gotten a better brewer for it. It is quite a lot better than what he used to buy. And second, I'd recommend that before you bugger off to the other side of the world, you think about coming to work for me." He looked at Thaor seriously. "I don't give a damn what people think of the choices I make. At least, I dont' give a damn if they're people who are not close to me. I do, however, care about making sure, as best I can, about the people who I surround myself as much as I can.

"I have an opening in the ministry. Two of them in fact. I'd like you to seriously consider one of them. I would prefer you take the first as to the second, but that's my own preference. What if I could offer you something better than Magical Creatures in some odd place where the world runs, generally, backwards?"


OOC: Couldnt' help the humor, Jess. hahahahahaha. In case you're thread-spying.

Thaor raised an eyebrow. I'll have the stout then. And I assumed we'd run into this little problem. But you see, I have it on good authority the Australian Minister for Magic is about to expire. And no one down there is willing to take his job. If I take the job playing with Magical Creatures, it'll give me the ministry experience to be a shoe in. So you can see, where I'd have to say the only thing better than that, would be the job that is currently occupied by yourself, and I think we both know you aren't offering me that job. Thaor said, returning Roberts seriousness.

The two men had had their disagreements. But things never escalated out of control. They always had eachothers back so to say. Thaor decided to hear Robert out. So what job are you offering me Robert? Thaor asked.

"Thaor," Robert sighed. "We both know I can't do this job forever. Nor do I have any desire to do so. And, given the state of affairs in my own family, I have priorities there that supersede any job I would ever hold." Robert trusted Thaor to know Robert all too well. He knew Thaor would already understand that no one came over Robert's family. "I have grandkids now, and I insist on being a part of their lives. Besides, there is this little problem with St. Mungos. Khaat can't be there all the time with all the babies she is soon going to have in her house. She is going to be very, very busy. Someone has to be running that place when she can't. And I'm finding it hard to be two or three or four places at once. Frankly, I'm tired of it.

"I want you to work for me," he said. "I want you to be the Deputy Minister of Magic. I have more on my plate than what I can handle, and I need someone I can trust. We've had different political views in the past, but when things were the most important, we have always been able to come together and work things out. I want you to give it some serious thought."

Thaor let out a sigh, as the emotionless look vanished from his face, being replaced with a rather sad, depressed one. Robert, this move, is more than just getting the job I've dreamed of. It's the chance for a new beginning, the chance to find what I've been so desperately looking for in all the wrong places. Thaor said, pausing to take a deep breath. I know we didn't talk much about what my father did after our sixth year. A lot of people talked about it seventh year, I spent that year in complete solitude. It's not what my enemies said about me that I hold onto Robert, it's what my friends didn't say. The only thing consistant in my life is being alone. Thaor said, wiping away a single tear.

This was quite possibly the first time Thaor had cried in a very long time. And it was absolutely the first time he had ever talked this 'deep' with anyone. He was always the 'strong' one of the bunch, never broke down, never gave in, never gave up.

It was all about to change.

"Your friends," Robert said, laying a supportive hand on Thaor's arm, "if you don't mind me saying, were total gits, most of them. I never talked about your dad with you much because it didn't make me like you less, trust you less, or care about you less. It was a non-issue with me. There are a lot of things with you that are non-issues for me. And actually, its what holds us together in its own weird way. And if I didn't clarify that for you when you needed to hear it the most, then I'm sorry. Truly.

"If there is anyone who deserves a fresh start, its you," Robert smiled. "And if you decide that Australia is the best place for you to do that, then you will always have my blessing on that. And you will always have a place with Kate and me if you decide to come back to visit. We'll always see you as part of our family. Still, I can't help but hope you'll reconsider and stay around awhile longer."

The server delivered a pint of stout for Thaor and two orders of their fish and chips. Clearly the server had simply taken it upon herself to include an order for Thaor as well. Robert smiled, approving.

Thaor looked into Roberts eyes as he began speaking. Rule number six Robert. Never appologize, it's a sign of weakness. Thaor said. It had been a long time since he quoted any of his rules. He established them his seventh year, it was his way to survive on his own.

Thaor sat in thought for a second, then took a drink. Since I've recited a rule to you, I suppose I should follow number one, and fifteen. Never screw over your partner. And always work as a team. I'll take the job Robert. I'll be looking forward to work with you. Thaor said with a smile.