Catch the snitch! - open

[Harmony Lupin]

Magical London was more then alive tonight, the streets almost impassable down by the Red Star lounge. The pub was literally packed from wall to wall, various witches and wizards of all shapes and sizes making it almost impossible to move as they all crowded the floor, bar and tables. Tonight, the Red Star lounge was broadcasting the latest Quidditch match for Harmony's favorite team; Puddlemere United. They were facing off against The Falmouth Falcons, and this bar was roaring with cheers, boos and various other chants with every play made. Harmony was no acceptation to this fact, the pale blond sitting at the bar as she looked up to the screen, watching each play intently as she drank her beverage.

Had she been completely sober, Harmony most likely would have taken notice of the obnoxious behavior of the people around her, but because she too was under the influence as they say it was all in good fun for her. Unlike a lot of the other people who were at the red star lounge Harmony was alone, having no one but the tender to talk to as he and his partner struggled to keep up with the high demand of beverages. Notcing this fact Harmony specifically ordered several shots at a time, being sure to take her time with each so that the tender wouldn't get overwhelmed. She wouldn't want him to make a mistake or get over worked; She knew how that felt.

The Dragonologist pursed her lips, her green & blue eyes glued to the screen that was before her. "Come on come on.." she said to herself, watching as the Puddlemere United team passed the quaffle between chasers, bludgers flying in every which way. Harmony played Quidditch while she was at Hogwarts, and though she loved every second of the sport it was not something she wanted to make a career out of [as exciting as it was]. So instead she became a fanatic, only leaving work early when she knew there was going to be a good game on for her to catch. Taking her last shot, Harmony tilted her head back and took the shot quickly, afraid of missing any of the action. Placing her glass back down Harmony tapped the top of it to signal the tender she wanted more before leaning forward on the bar, arms crossed over each other as she leaned on them. It was almost like the closer she got to the TV the better her team was going to do.

Then, the Red Star Lounge erupted with cheers as Puddlemere United scored, Harmony literally jumping to her feet and throwing her hands up excitedly, cheering along with the crowd. However, when she stood up so quickly she felt her closed fist hit someone in the face. She gasped at the realization, turning around to see whomever it was she just punched in the face. "Are you alright?" she asked in a loud tone, trying to make sure the stranger heard her over the loud chatter in the lounge.

[Straw Buckett]

[Now would you like to make this current time line or me to rp like it was in Aug? I;m going to make it in the now but can change it if you want me to :P ]

**

"GO FALCONS!" yelled a grouped of overly excited men dressed in team colours of red, white and black with matching painted 'Fs' on their cheeks. They sat surrounded by bowls of chips and schooners while yelling abuse at the tv. "HEY REF, GET OFF YOUR KNEES, YOU'RE BLOWING THE GAME" or "HEY REF, CAN WE PET YOUR SEEING EYE DOG?!" were some of the few 'G' rated comments coming from the group. As the Puddlemere United scored once more a wave of outragged mixed with cheers erupted. The outlandish men were now yelling profanities at the television screen. It was a great night, his team was losing, his wife was sleeping with other men and he'd never be able to sit comfortably and explain to his children why their mummy and daddy didn’t love each other anymore... great night, could it get worse?

Ppf such a silly question.

Straw Buckett, Gryffindor, Quidditch Captain, Admired Auror, dedicated Father, Ex-husband, over all good guy, now with a smeared painted 'F' upon his cheek staggered backwards as his assailant quickly turned to apologies. ’He didn’t want more? Wait.. was that a girl?! Clutching his left jaw, Straw rolled back expecting a fight, ready for a fight but surprised to find a friendly face instead, almost just as good? Straw needed a different therapy right now but a friend was a friend. “Harmony??” he exclaimed. “That’s quite the punch you’re packing,” he smirked opening his mouth wide and wiggling it.

Straw was out with the ‘boy’, not normally one , due to the fact that he had children, to take part in such drunk social events but tonight was different. The guy had twisted his arm and how could he say no what his favourite team was playing and free beer was on offer. Straw wasn’t broken, granted he was sad. All he’d ever given was love and loyalty and to have that shoved in his face, well that at least deserved a beer or two with the fellas.

"How have you been? Long time no see?" It had definitely been a long time, last he knew, she was leaving town. “So you going to buy me a drink or serve me another punch?” He smiled and wedged himself into a seat next to her giving her his best drunken smile. The boys wouldn’t miss him, they had enough liquor in their systems to keep them occupied for the rest of night.

[Harmony Lupin]

Harmony was not expecting the person she punches to be anyone she knew. She should have known better by now, considering she ran into Eric not too long ago under somewhat similar circumstances. By the time Harmony realized it was Straw he was already greeting her, a goofy grin on his face that she recognized all too well. "Straw!" she said out of excitement, taking in his appearance. He was definitely as intoxicated as she was - maybe a bit more by this point. She suppressed her own giggles at the sight of the "F" painted on his bare chest. "Oh well, you know me. Always keeping up with fitness," she lied smoothly, flexing both her arm muscles for a minute before breaking out into another fit of giggles. She wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or how silly Straw looked - either way she was glad to see him.

Harmony had been gone for a while, more or less diving herself into her work and trying to find a career that was more fitting for her. Now that she secured her job in the ministry as a Dragonologist she was ready to really live her life. Glancing to the bar Harmony picked up one of her shots and took it quickly ,the burning sensation much duller compared to how it wash before when she just got there. She turned around to face Straw when he started to speak, Harmony leaning her back against the bar and smirking in hid direction. "I've been .. busy," she said, knowing that just 'busy' was an understatement. But he didn't need to know the details about her life. "I've kind of been around, but mostly spending my time in the ministry. I practically lived there for the past - how ever long it's been," she explained with a smile, shaking her head at his next comment.

Turning around Harmony leaned on the counter of the bar, flagging down the tender. "Hey! Tender!" she yelled, the already busy man coming to her aid. "Can I have a beer - or actually, can you get us a few shots? Four?" she asked, the tender eyeing her closely. "One for each of us! With how bad the Falcons are loosing I think a beer is a little too weak," she taunted, shooting Straw a playful look over her shoulder before looking back to the tender. He sighed before making his way off to get more shot glasses. Harmony turned back around now and faced Straw. "How about you, champ?" she asked, tucking a piece of blond hair behind her ear. "I hear you're married now," she said with a sly tone, leaning her back against the bar again.

_____________

It was fine! c:
♥

[Straw Buckett]

Straw nodded along, placing his elbow on the counter and drunkenly leaning his chin on his open palm. “Yeah tell me about it,” he scoffed finishing off the remaining content of his drink. Straw had thrown himself into work lately, it kept him busy and busy was what he needed right now. He needed new thoughts, less negative thoughts. The work was a place, he’d learnt, was no place for personal issues, he'd always left them at the door. It was home, relax time, that Straw was struggling with so far. He loved his children but just wished he didn’t see her eyes in some of them all the time.

“Couldn’t have said it better Lupin” he puffed pushing his empty schooner away. “Make it strong!” he added over Harmony as the bar tender took out four shot glasses. “Oh I’m alright,” he smiled running his hands over his eyes and pulling his face down as if he were waking himself back up again. “Narh, not married anymore Harms,” and flashed her the outside of his free right hand. Straw was never one to bath in the sun but years of wearing the dam right had now left him with a pale ring mark around his finger. The rest of Straw’s hand had more colour to it, thus making the mark fairly obvious.. well especially to Straw.

“She cheated on me,” he yelled, trying to make himself heard over the crowd. “Again!” he added as the first shot was pushed his way, a wedge of lemon and salt shaker were also placed before them. Clinking glasses, Straw licked his hand, poured the salt on, sucked the lemon, downed the shot and licked the salt off his hand. Scrunching his eyes and letting his tongue waggle around he shook his head and yahooed a little loud. “That’s the stuff, I did that right right? Haven’t done tequila in years! I reckon IF that was the life I had of followed instead, perhaps I wouldn't be in this situation." Meaning that if he followed more of a party life style, Straw would not be sitting here, a soon be to divorcee with three children numbing his memory away with another woman. Which lead him to his next statement, “It was Cole by the way,” and took another mystery shot from the bar tender. “Arh, good old Vodka” and swallowed hard a few times, the burn was not what he remembered, slight worse, “Not my old friend, unlike you are Ms Lupin,” he grinned and chuckled, feeling an attack of the giggle about to take over. "You don't burn M'dear!" he smiled making no sense. Straw had been drinking for a couple of hours now, pre-game drink and now-game drinks, post-game drinks were still to come as well as recovery or celebratory drinks.

“Now,” then he half hiccupped and burped at the same time, “I have a question for you, i've been thinking about this for ages and wondered if you could shed some light on the situtation.... how possible is it to perform a slight memory charm on yourself? Like not a big one,” he said holding out his hand pointing at Harmony, “Just enough to forget a person or a few situations? I still want to remember the kids but well.. you know how these things are” Straw stood up on the bar stool and waved his hand for the bar tender, “Can we grab another around please? Surprise us!”

[Harmony Lupin]

Though Harmony was originally here to watch the game how her team was doing was no longer her biggest concern. With Straw there now she was more concerned about him and his life; It had been ages since they last chatted and Harmony had done some things she regretted to poor Straw. She dropped everyone and anyone at the drop of a hat for Eric, and Straw was one of those people. Harmony didn't believe in regrets, but what she did to him was always something she felt bad about. None the less, she let the past stay in the past as she looked to Straw. He was certainly energetic tonight - or maybe it was the alcohol. Who cares! She wasn't one to judge, considering she was just as intoxicated as he was.

Harmony laughed as he called after the bar tender, nodding in a 'yes' manner to let the tender know to follow his orders. "Taking no prisoners tonight, huh?" she asked with a sly smirk, tucking blond strands of hair behind her ear as she listened to his life tale. At first she thought he was fine, judging by his first response to her question. "I'm glad you're - " she stopped herself when she heard his next statement. Narh, not married anymore Harms. She gave him a shocked expression, leaning on the bar so prevent herself from swaying. "Oh," was all she could offer at first, clearing her throat awkwardly. "I'm sorry to hear that, Straw," she mused, at a complete loss. How was she suppose to comfort him in this? She had been left high and dry more times then she could count, but she was never married. Harmony wondered what was ending their marriage, but did not want to pry. A few moments later it seemed she didn't have to worry, for Straw told her everything.

His loud tone only amplified how upset he was over the entire thing. "Cheated?" was all Harmony could say when the words first left his lips. When he said it was not the first time Harmony found herself feeling angry. How could someone do that? It was cowardly and pathetic, in her opinion. But she was not one to judge. She didn't offer any words of wisdom, only watched Straw as he took his first shot. Harmony glanced to her own first shot - just whiskey. The tender knew her well. Harmony took her shot as Straw did his, though hers was much simpler considering she wasn't taking a shot of tequila. She laughed as he made his next comment after taking his shot. "You did it right," she assured him, frowning slightly at the last part of his comment. "Don't say that," she mumbled, eyes averting to her next shot. What the hell was that? She didn't even know, but clearly it didn't require a chaser since one was not provided. But her attentions as brought back to straw.

It was cole, by the way.

Literally, her mouth dropped. Mr. Cole Halliwell. Oh she knew that name well. Jackie always spoke so highly of him, but she never met him. At least, she didn't remember if she did. Still, to sleep with a married woman - what does that say about him? Harmony shook her head in disgust, taking her shot just as Straw took his. Whatever the tender gave her was strong, enough to make her cough after she slammed her glass down. "Hot damn!" she said, laughing. It seemed, that though Straw was feeling down in the dumps as well he was at least trying to have a good time. She appreciated that, and hoped she could help him enjoy himself for a little while. Forget the troubles that are plaguing his mind.

Obviously they were both drunk, so upon his next inquiry Harmony literally made a "pfft' sound. "No, Straw," she told him, shaking her head. When she was drunk she normally didn't censor her thoughts. "It is completely possible to remove someone form your memories, but would you really want to do that?" she asked, turning her attention to the game for a minute. "There will literally be a huge whole in your memory. You have these three beautiful kids but you won't know who their mother is. It'll drive you nuts," she insisted, shaking her head. "Plus you'd need someone to do it for you. I sure as hell wouldn't," she said, glancing down at her empty shot glass. "I thought above removing Eric once," she admitted, letting him know why she was so familiar on the topic. She did a lot of research on it. "But I decided not to. Some of the best and worst memories I've experienced are with him and I wouldn't want to forget it. With the good always comes the bad," she said, glancing to her side. The bar tender served a shot to the person next to her.

Harmony eyed it before snatching up the strangers's shot and taking it herself. Ignoring the mans protest she looked back to Straw, throwing her hand about. "You know what, no!" she said, pushing him slightly in the shoulder. "Forget her! Whats-her-face - " she thought for a minute. "Kat?" she questioned, but did not wait for him to confirm nor deny. "Screw that troll!" clearly she was drunk. "You deserve better - once a cheater always a cheater. It was cowardly of her to do that to you. Didn't even have the decency to break off the marriage first before she went ahead sharing a bed with another man," she huffed in annoyance. "Pathetic," she shook her head, waving the tender down.

After a minute she sighed. "I'm sorry," she shook her head, laughing. "Wait, no I'm not," she added, laughing still. "Don't let what she did to you change you. I know it sucks right now but .. things will get better - " Harmony was interrupted by a loud roar of cheers in the bar. So loud that she couldn't hear herself think. Looking up to the television Harmony saw that the Falcon's caught the snitch. She gave a shocked expression. "Son of a snitch," she shook her head, looking to Straw.

"See? Things are looking up already," she mumbled, hoping the tender returned with her drink soon.

_____________


♥

[Straw Buckett]

He thought about what she’d said. So it was possible to take them out of his mind. Yes, them, he didn’t want to know her or him either. Straw would be a happier man if his life had no part of Cole’s ragging sexual need to prove he was a better man for Kat and Kat’s uncontrollable attention syndrome. Straw would never regret having his children, he loved them with all his heart but he never wished a broken family upon them like this own. He knew that story too well and was determined to give them something different.

Harmony made him laugh with her next set of comments. It was pathetic and Straw would never forgive her for how badly she’d gone about it. Harmony was being very sweet and he appreciated every word that she spoke. He had raised his eye brow and smiled as she admitted that she wasn’t sorry, she was right, he wasn't sorry either. “Thanks Harms, I’ll try,” though it was too late, it had already changed him and there was no going back to the old Straw. Suddenly the pub let out a mighty cheer as the Falcons caught the snitch, Straw missed the whole thing but he didn’t mind, he was enjoying talking to Harmony.

“Ha, yeah you’re right,” and finished his last shot. “I’m more thinking about forgetting the guy who can’t let go and needs everyone around him to feel his pain. You know Cole was married before right? Didn’t work out and he’s spiraled into a dark evil abyss that I’m sure no one could pull him out of.” A beer was placed in front of him, possibly by one of the boys from work. Straw took it and began to drink it, he wasn’t going to argue with free beer. "What are you drinking?" and quickly made an order for Harmony's drink.

“I just wished I never knew them,” he continued, “If I ever see him again, I want him to know that I haven’t the slightest clue who he is.” Which was right, nothing more would annoy the man then for Straw not to react to his violent taunts. However wouldn’t deleting Cole from his mind just make the man win anyway? Straw shook his head to start again, the alchole was taking its effect and his vision was becoming slightly blurred.. it's what he'd been waiting for. “I’m not trying to beat him by the way," he slurred, "he can have her for all I care, I don’t want her anymore.” And that’s as honest as Straw could really be, even in this state. “I’m over their crap, over the competing. No one should have to constantly compete for their wife?! I mean.. c.mon..I want to forget them cos if that’s what they call winning then send them the crown. I don’t want to play anymore.” This wasn’t winning and technically it wasn’t loosing either. Straw was free, he was free from it all and finally he could breathe again. He was a mixed of disappointment and relief. Perhaps it was her final present in some sick twisted way. She had hurt Straw for the last and final time...And pushed him away for forever.

“They’re children, going about it like two horny teenagers who can’t control themselves.” Straw stated rather harshly, “I don’t need that,” he said more to himself. “You know you’re right, I have my kids and I wouldn’t want to forget anything about them, even their mother I guess." and rolled his eyes, "Why didn’t you delete Eric? What pushed you to think of almost doing it? He didn’t sleep with Kat too?” and poked his tongue out at her jokingly. Straw wanted to show he was ok to joke about it, his mother had always said if you can't make fun of yourself then who can you make fun of.. or something like that.