The first few days of May would always be somber days for the Wizarding World, while a valiant battle had been won, victory had come at a high price for far too many of them. It was precisely these losses that Remembering Day - which had somehow turned into a weeklong celebration - celebrated. Arius couldn't help but wonder, however, if this actually offered any closure for the people who had lost their loved ones in the battle. Wouldn't it be better to mourn in private rather than be subjected to these public rememberances every year? Not everyone liked to air their emotions and their dirty laundry. Regardless, Arius had made it a point not to mourn the deaths in the battle, his friends would have gone someday anyhow, right?

Arius was certainly no stranger to loss and he understood that sometimes it was inevitable. Yet, this battle which had been so good for the wizarding community in some aspects had also brought so much sadness and weariness, which were two things Arius could not stand. Perhaps it was simply because he had grown up in a manner so different to the majority of the other children at Hogwarts - though unfortunately the Death Eater children had been the exception - however, he knew that death and disappearance were common occurrences in his own life.

He entered Hogsmeade quietly, sunglasses firmly on his face and the collar of his coat pulled up around his face to shield him from too much recognition. As much as he loved it, he had promised Woolfolk that he would keep his head ducked until the fashion show, there was no point in a surprise if Neely knew he was there, right? Besides, the focus should be on the fallen and not on what celebrities showed up to honor them. Well, except for like Harry Potter and all of those celebrity-heroes who obviously deserved the attention they recieved. Then again, Arius wondered how much they liked these ceremonies, he wouldn't blame them if they chose not to attend at all.

Slipping into the Three Broomsticks he scanned the full room for any sign of an empty table. He breathed a small sigh of relief when he noted one and strode over to the empty booth and took a seat. He hated actually sitting at the bar in any establishment. He summoned over a waitress and ordered himself a firewhisky for his wait. Fillin couldn't be that long, right? Arius knew he had some photographic venture or other that morning but nothing could be more important than Arius, and that was the truth.

After meeting with Fauna Blake and seeing Olivia Foley, Fil had a lot to think about.  As he meandered through the streets of Hogsmeade, he was contemplating just what he was dealing with.  He had never had to think about any of this before, partially because he didn’t know what was going on in Ollie’s head and the fact that she was interested in so many different kinds of people.  It wasn’t that he was purposely being a little less than sensitive, but it was weird.  He had never felt the urge to kiss a guy – though he supposed girls were prettier, so that had something to do with it.  He had no idea.

Arius would probably offer some insight, though he was sure he didn’t want to air Ollie’s laundry in front of a third party.  It was best to just leave it milling about in his head, rather than anyone else’s.  There were questions though, and things he wanted to know.  He’d have to talk to Ollie when she got out of school, maybe when she stayed with him.  That would be a good time to lay it all down on the line and prepare him for what was to come next in her life.

He really felt like a big brother sometimes, and running his big hand over his stubbly face (he really did need to shave), he had to resolve to be a bit more together about things.  Pushing through the doors of the Three Broomsticks, he was just glad to be getting ready to partake in a few drinks with one of the people he knew was not going to be insane with grief or dwelling on the whole situation from the previous day.  Granted, he was still wishing he wished he had been there to take pictures, all-in-all, he didn’t like the public displays of grief and sadness.  Fil always had problems expressing emotions openly.

In a stadium full of crying and depressed individuals, he just couldn’t handle it.  Looking around, he tried to spot where Arius was, and sighed.  In the back booth he saw a figure with a pulled up collar and sunglasses – Arius’s trademarks when he was attempting to lay low.  Thankfully, no one knew who Fil was either.  Gently grabbing the waitress who was leaving the table to stop her, Fil ordered his drink and told her to bring it to the same table.  She seemed a little confused, but nodded – customer was always right type deal.

Fil was just glad she didn’t ask questions and he strolled over to the booth, sliding across from his friend. “Hey - nice get up,” he greeted ingloriously, nodding at the glasses and everything else.  He was not the type for eloquent opening speeches.  “How you been? Avoiding the screaming fans?” he laughed with a husky gruffness, his smile lopsided, revealing the points of his canines, always a little longer than usual.

Arius laughed at Fil's comment and whipped off the sunglasses he had absentmindedly left on. "I think it's quite dashing, makes me feel like a muggle superhero!" Arius had clearly been in the muggle world for far too long when he started making references to things such as Superman. It was like, he put on his glasses and all of a sudden no one knew who he was. Yeah, that was realistic. However, it seemed to work in those shows so why not for Arius? Even if he was prettier than any superman he had ever seen.

"Good to see you managed to tear your eye away from a lens for long enough to have a drink." Arius was happy to see Fillin, it had been a while since they had sat down and drank and talked. Arius had been away in the muggle modeling world doing fashion shows and photo shoots. The summer shoots were always fun as one went from beach to beach around the world. "I've been good, busy having fun! After all, that's what work is. As for screaming fangirls, the only people screaming here for the moment are the  people wailing over their dead loved ones."

He sounded horrible, but he was right. People had been crying and wailing over those deaths that had occurred ten years ago and the all-night vigils were not going to make it any better. Thank Merlin Arius was not staying at the village because otherwise those massive headaches and sleepless nights would wreak havoc on his complexion. That was something he was not willing to risk, even if the biggest muggle fashion show of the season had just passed. However, he could come in for the day and see what was going on around the village.

"What about you Fillin? How are you? What have you been up to?" He grinned at Fill before turning to thank his waitress with a dazzling smile. She stopped for a moment as she was setting down the firewhiskey and stared at him. However, she soon put it down, followed shortly after by Fillin's drink, and walked away shaking her head. Arius was sure it must have been a treat to wait on him and she would probably treasure the memory for the rest of her life. Maybe he should have offered to sign her arm or something.

He took a sip of his drink and let out a lone smoke ring before asking the question that he loved to torture Fillin with, "Any new women in your life?"

“I will never understand muggles,” Fil snorted.  “Thinking flying is something spectacular, or blowing someone out of the water with their hands is out of the ordinary.  If only they knew sometimes,” Fil snorted.  He didn’t exactly think it would be brilliant if Muggles knew about them, but he did think it would be funny.  They would feel very foolish, he was sure, about everything that had conceived about witches and wizards, particularly when they realized some of their friends and neighbors were just leading double lives and were as normal as they were.  Of course, he could stand for it to stay hidden – the wolfman of London was not a title he really wished to live up to.  It could stay on the copper screen – or whatever they called it. 

And as he continued to laugh, Fil waved his hand.  “I’m always up for a drink,” he admitted.  It was probably one of his weakest points.  Fil had always had time for a drink, he often skipped out on bigger things just to make time for it.  He always felt better after a night out – and though this was early in the afternoon, he didn’t imagine it would be much different.  He would have to watch himself though; it was only one in the afternoon.  It took several glances at his beat up watch to remind him of this.  Didn’t seem to stop some other people from indulging, though.

He looked toward where he heard a devilish sound coming from and sighed, hanging his head.  Some sap at the bar had just started crying – several empty mugs surrounding him.  Apparently he was not taking all of this very well.  At Arius’s comment about wailing, Fil sighed. “Looks like you can’t escape it anywhere,” he gave a nod of his head toward the man at the bar and then looked back to Arius. He didn’t want to deal with the crying anymore than Arius did.  He had enough problems without having to sob and moan about that part of the past.  He was probably callous because he wasn’t really involved, but hey, some people needed to be that way. 

Shrugging his shoulders, Fil wasn’t too keen on answering the how are you questions.  He didn’t think he had to worry about it much.  “I’m okay – same as always,” he informed his friend.  “Nothing as interesting as what you’ve been up to, I’m sure.  You really need to set me up with a photo gig soon,” he half-smiled. “Some girls in bikinis would be nice.”  He laughed heartily and leaned back in his seat, happy that the waitress came over with their drinks now.  He really needed it, and nodding to her, he shook his head – her attention was nowhere near Fil.

She looked a bit awed and astounded at Arius, and Fil smirked.  He had to love it.  He could see it on his face.  He always did like that sort of thing.  And then, as he was about to take a sip of the drink, Fil had to put the glass down and roll his eyes. “Arius, that’s a ridiculous question.  There are never any new women in my life,” which was a truth.  He was not dealing with a new woman – he was dealing with a woman who had been in his life for years.  But, Arius wouldn’t be able to know that.  He didn’t really want to talk about it either.  “I would ask you the same question – but I’m not sure you’d even be able to remember her name, or which one to tell me about,” he laughed and took a sip.  Attention diverted.  “I’m looking forward to meeting them though,” he smirked, “you know I’m always free for the next spread….”

“There isn't much to understand either though Fillin, they tend to be very simple-minded creatures. You would be amazed how they react to small sleights of hand,” Arius couldn't help but laugh at that. “One time, these muggle models invited me to go see a muggle magic act and it was so horrible! I wanted to show them some real magic after that make sure they knew how much money they were wasting on these stupid things.” He shook his head, and recalled how they had hyped up this man and Arius had gone along just to appease them and make an appearance. He had later regretted it, no matter how beautiful the girls were.

Arius knew that Fillin couldn't refuse a drink, much less a drink with him. Arius’ ego was a smidge overinflated at times, but he always believed that going out with him was something that people loved to do. Perhaps it was his funloving nature and the fact that going out with Arius generally meant going to some hot new club opening or even the old usual clubs was somehow more interesting. He always managed to find some way to spice up the evening. “Drinks are always good, no matter the time or place,” he agreed with a solemn nod.

Despite the general buzz in the Leaky Cauldron, certain things could be heard above others, one of these was a howl of despair that brought Arius’ attention to the bar. Thank Merlin he had not sat there, he thought as he watched a grown man collapse into loud tears, noisy sniffles and all. A large collection of mugs was around him, the handle of the last was in his hand in a death grip. “Some people clearly can't handle their liqour.” Arius rolled his eyes and turned away, hoping that someone would get that man out of the Cauldron, and fast.

Arius was hoping for more details on how he had been than Fillin offered. He actually worried about Fillin - odd, I know, for someone so self-involed - especially due to his delicate condition. It almost sounded like Fillin was pregnant sometimes in Arius’ thoughts, the way he put it. It was just so ugly to think about it as Fillin-monster. In fact, sometimes he avoided thinking of werewolf Fillin due to all the stupid things he had seen in the muggle world. Yet, Fillin only gave the barest of essentials and then turned the topic back to Arius.

“Let me know when you are free and who you want,” Arius said with a laugh. “Perhaps I should arrange for you to do a muggle shoot and you can see why I enjoy it so much. They are so easily manipulated. Not to mention the fact that their pictures don’t move! That is always a challenge, but nothing a great photographer can't handle.” Arius highly respected Fillin, and wondered what he could do at a muggle shoot where he actually had to pose the models and they wouldn't just do it for themselves. That had to be a daunting idea.

“As for women in my life, nothing and no one special,” Arius admitted with a shrug. “Just several flings here and there. They really do bore me far too easily. I need someone that offers me more of a challenge if they plan on sticking around.” It was true, most models tended to just fall prey to Arius in the muggle world, witches were a smidge more diffficult but still Arius grew tired of them. “You can ome go through my album and tell me what girls you like best and I'll see what I can do about a shoot.”

“As long as you went for free, who cares?” Fil snorted, just imaging muggle magic.  “Did they do that whole bunny out of a hat thing?”  He could only imagine what they would do if they really saw someone make a bunny out of a hat – rather than the more typical making a hat out of a bunny gig that muggles were fond of, though they could really do that too – without having to kill it either – just alter its state of being.  Some muggles might have made the same claim.  They were a weird bunch.  He preferred this infinitely over that.   

Smirking, after glancing at the poor man again, Fil shrugged. “He obviously needs to practice more.” His laugh was a poor reflection of his own state.  He had built up that ability to a point where he didn’t really feel anything when he consumed like that.  He never really worried about it anymore.  No one else spent too much time thinking about it either.  His father had attempted to ask once, but even then, it wasn’t something he pursued.  They didn’t talk much, let alone about problems like Fil’s habits.  It just wasn’t worth it to strain the relationship anymore than it already was.

Taking a swill of the drink, Fil thought about a muggle shoot.  He had experimented with muggle technology, particularly cameras.  Nodding slowly, he looked at the liquid in the glass and swirled it around, thinking as he did.  He could try it.  At the very least, he’d produce a few decent photos and see what he could do about it.  Maybe breaking into the muggle world of photography could provide for an amusing distraction of sorts.  “I’d like that,” he nodded, finally saying something to indicate his thoughts.  He had been all drawn up in thought, but now he was relaxed, getting used to the idea.

“I think I could stand to do some muggle world work.  Maybe it would open up the market, so to speak,” he snorted. “I wouldn’t have to include my little issue on my resume either.  So, that might be a good thing…” he was liking the idea even more now, actually.  If the muggles were ignorant to it and they didn’t fall under the have to tell policy, he would probably make quite a bit of money there, providing his pictures were good.  He’d have to saunter over the line between Diagon and their world to get a camera to fiddle with though, to make sure he could definitely do it first.  “Give me a couple of weeks and I should be good,” he nodded.  He could figure out a camera, no problem.

Seemed Arius was having some issues too – though not the kind anyone else would complain about.  He had girls lined up for him, almost like a buffet he could pick and choose from, some of this, some of that – a veritable plateful of delicious samplings.  But, he appeared to have trouble finding something substantive.  Apparently the girls he was used to were just about as filling as the air sandwiches they consumed.  “Maybe you shouldn’t pick from your normal lineup,” Fil shrugged. “You just might have to go for someone who isn’t model gorgeous,” he smirked, taking another drink from his glass.  A good ale always hit the spot. 

“Of course, knowing you – you’ll find the one witch in London who’s absolutely gorgeous, has a brain, and won’t take your tripe.”  He snorted, thinking of anyone who might fit that bill.  He was coming up short, though a particular person came to mind – she had a boyfriend though.  Best not mention her to Arius, who would immediately see it as a challenge.  “Why try and be serious anyway?  It's just too much work," he recalled all the thoughts had come upon and the troubles he faced even trying to talk to the girl - let alone go from point A to B.  "For me, for right now, I’ll take the easy ones and just pictures of them,” he winked and laughed again before taking a sip.

It was easy to laugh around Arius.  He was the kind of guy who didn’t want to hear about your issues and when he did, made you think they weren’t so bad anyway, because of course, what in life could really be that bad when you were around Arius? That was probably how he saw it anyway.  Shrugging his shoulders, Fil was so glad to have a friend and a drink – sometimes it was all a guy needed. 

“They did, it was the worst display of ‘magic’ I have ever seen. No wonder muggles don't believe magic exists when they watch two-bit hacks like that,” Arius said with a shake of his head. He hated when people misrepresented him and this was just that to show someone doing such ridiculous things. No respectable wizard would ever try to pull a bunny out of a hat, they’d have a hat with bunny ears and a tail hopping around the room or something. That at least would have been more impressive. Of course the statute of secrecy would keep muggles from ever knowing just how bad their ‘magicians’ were.

Arius couldn't help but feel contempt for the foolish man crying at the bar in front of everyone. In fact, had he been a different man he might have stopped the entire spectacle right then and there. He did not care one sot who the man had lost or why he was so public in what should be private affairs, he just wanted him gone from his presence and for the annoyance to be over. Why if he didn't stop soon people would be comforting him, or worse joining in.

Arius was pleased tht Fillin liked the idea of a muggle photo shoot. It would be much easier to find an agency for Fillin in the muggle world since he wouldn't have to tell anyone about his illness. This would mean that Fillin could do more shoots and get paid more money, he could be a hit it was only a matter of how well he could sell himself. “I'm glad you like the idea, besides you'll see how nice it is to have a bank account outside the Wizarding World and why gettign paid in muggle money is nice.” Not to mention the credit cards and bills instead of straight coins all the time.

Arius almost spit out his firewhiskey at Fillin’s suggestion. Better that way than out his nose I suppose, but still he thought it was ludicrous. Not on this planet, not even on Pluto but maybe on Venus - Arius liked Venus - would he do what Fillin was suggesting. Nuh uh, no way. “If I wanted normal I would have become an author or worked for the Ministry or something like that, people expect me to be beautiful and be seen with beautiful one hundred percent of the time.”

"Even taking pictures of them is risky, my friend. What if they look too fat? or too tall? or too thin?" Arius shook his head and shuddered. "I'll just keep doing what I do best I suppose, flirt and pose."

Fil had never been one to mix with the non-magic types, but he supposed that was because he didn’t think any of them could understand.  Sure, he went to the parks where they walked and did things, but he didn’t really interact with them, unless he saw a pretty young woman that he might have chanced to talk to with Carlyle by his side.  That dog was a huge bird magnet in the city, but he never took it seriously.  It was just nice to get some attention for once. 

So, when he went into that world, he expected different treatment, he almost expected to fit in.  Where he felt like he had nothing to offer here and no one was going to give him a chance, perhaps the muggle world was the key.  Arius had found a niche in it, so maybe he could too.  He wouldn’t need to explain anything; it might be a clean break for once.  Taking another drink, he was really seriously contemplating this, probably against his better judgment.  It wasn’t like he would have an accident or anything though – he was always careful, always.  He couldn’t afford not to be.

A bank account did sound good, instead of just owling his father or going to Gringott’s.  His dad would probably appreciate it too.  “I could definitely use it.  I think it’s about time I stopped milking my father’s guilt for being a terrible dad,” he snorted, looking at the ale before taking a drink.  He probably wouldn’t have felt the impulse to drink like that if not for him – or at least some of the decisions he made.  But, what was done was done and now Fil was living with the consequences.  He could at least make himself a little more independent, and the work would help. 

He also adequately amused by Arius’ violent reaction to his suggestion.  “I was kidding!” he insisted with a hearty laugh, shaking his head.  “Of course, beautiful isn’t always necessarily glitzy, you know.  I bet there are a lot of diamonds in the rough around who are a lot more worth the time than some of the girls you’ve been with,” Fil shrugged, most definitely behind that one.  He didn’t know if he liked the over sexualized world Arius lived in most of the time, he liked to look at it – definitely liked to film it, but he didn’t have much else beyond that he wanted.  They were always trouble to work with, even if they were pretty and fun afterward, such a pain.  He couldn’t even imagine. 

“As for what they look like in the photos – don’t worry about it.  When was the last time I took a grievous photo?” he asked with a quirked brow.  He didn’t expect him to be able to answer at all.  Fil took a lot of pride in his photographs and wasn’t concerned with the quality he’d be able to produce.  “You people do your thing and I do mine, and we all make money in the end.  It’s no problem for me.”  He was quite sure he could talk like that – especially with Arius who shared his… pride in work. 

He was thinking he would need another mug soon, but it was replaced before he even had to ask by the waitress that now seemed to be watching their table.  She smiled a little and then walked away without saying anything – without even a thank you. “What a strange bird,” Fil said as his eyes followed her.  “I swear, I think of declaring myself celibate sometimes.  They’re all such a pain.”

Arius continued coughing a bit, exaggerating his reaction before stopping and looking for a napkin to clean himself up. Upon failing to find one he reached for his wand, making quick work of it with a simple spell. He rarely used wandless magic when he didn't have to because well, it wasn't really that impressive outside of Hogwarts where students really didn't know how it happened up until a certain point in their education.

He sincerely hoped that Fillin had been kidding about Arius going for women that were anything but perfect specimens. “If I am ever going to father an illegitimate child, it can't be with someone ugly,” he reasoned out loud. “It would be simply unacceptable. Then again if it came out to look like her I could always deny it was mine.” That thought was at least more pleasing to him. Not that Arius wasn't very careful, but accidents did happen sometimes.

Arius couldn't imagine being with a girl who didn't understand his lifestyle. He was an international jetsetter always in the eye of the camera. He was a very public figure and any woman would have to accept that he wasn't going to hide from the world to appease an uncomfortable woman. No, if he ever permanently dated someone they would have to deal with living their lives in front of a camera lens and having their every moment scrutinized. Not to mention the fact that no model would allow herself to get pregnant on accident.

“About bad pictures, now that you mention it,” Arius said draggingg it out more than necessary to tease Fil. “It really is possible, that maybe,” he wasn't really sure where he was going with this at this point anymore. “I haven't ever seen one where the subject doesn't move.” Well that was lame.

“Not strange, she just wants to impress me.” Arius wanted to laugh at the poor thing that had set down the new firewhiskey in front of him. However, he loved the attention to much to laugh at the people who gave it. “We really need to get you a look that makes girls that giddy.”

Rolling his eyes, Fil was not going to stand for something like that. He didn’t even take it seriously, actually, because he didn’t believe it was at all possible that Arius could be serious.  There were many things that Fil did not believe in himself about – his appearance, his attitude, basically anything physical whatsoever that required scrutiny on his own looks, but he could be proud of his job.  He had a great talent he had been told and he was serious about it.  His job was something he took seriously, unlike some of the other aspects of his life.

He made his pictures the best he could and had his own solutions to develop them in, depending on the affects he wanted achieved.  It was his process and his way of doing things.  No slight from anyone could convince him that he was not talented in that regard.  Funnily enough, it was just enough to keep him trying, or he probably would have given up ages ago and did something else. He waved his hand as he took a long draught from the mug, licking his lips free of the delicious, darker liquid.  Nothing better. 

“There’s no way,” he smirked, “I’ve never printed a bad picture – moving or not.  I did try that once or twice, you know,” he added, “That’s why I need two weeks until the shoot – to prepare.  And the full moon is coming…” he sighed, blast that stupid detail.  “I’ll have to look on the calendar to see when that is, I think the 19th,” he announced out loud.  “I’ll let you know – then a week after that, I guess.”  He didn’t like to work right after he was laid up.  It was too painful and he couldn’t be as actively involved as he liked to be in a shoot if he was still aching. 

And blinking at Arius, he shook his head. “Oh no – I don’t need a new look,” he insisted.  He looked down at himself.  The shabby outfit wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t stand out.  Arius was the one for standing out and having people look at him.  Fil preferred to blend in, as it was what he craved for – to be a part of the big group.  He did not want to draw attention to himself. “I like myself quite fine – and if I found a girl, I wouldn’t want to have to doll up as much as she does to go out.”  He shrugged his shoulders.

“Call me old fashioned,” a slight smirk, “but I’d rather just throw on my outfit fifteen minutes before leaving without even having to brush my hair than worry about all of that.  Don’t you get sick of it sometimes, mate?”  He paused for a moment, "Besides, women like the rugged, messy - please fix me look, I've been told."

“Just because you've never printed one doesn't mean you haven't taken one,”Arius said with a laugh. “I want to see the portfolio of the year you first picked up the camera, please. Then I think we can talk.” He shook his head at Fillin and took a long drink of firewhiskey, wishing he could smoke a cigarette inside the Three Broomsticks as he blew out smoke rings from his drink. “Even I had to learn how to pose correctly, mate.”

Arius nodded and a small ‘ah’ escaped his mouth as Fillin gave his explanation for why he needed time. Arius tended to forget when such things were coming up, probably because he wasn’t a werewolf. Had he been a werewolf or an astronomist then perhaps he would have been able to keep track of Fillin's ‘time of the month’. He was worse than a girl sometimes, honestly.

The idea of giving Fillin a new look was great to Arius, and he was already calculating in his mind lengths and sizes not to mention the thought of hairstyles and beauty products. It would be fabulous if Fillin would just allow it. That was when Arius realized that Fillin was refusing, that he was actually against the idea of getting a makeover from Arius. How Rude! Arius offered only out of the kindness of his heart and for someone to refuse...

“Whatever you want,” Arius said with a shrug. “I never get tired of looking my best and being beautiful. I get paid to do that. It's not bad pay either, not to mention all the goodies I get from companies since me wearing them is free promotion.” Arius did have a pretty sweet gig.

“It was phenomenal, of course,” Fil said with an amused laugh, “I told you, I’m a natural.”  Of course, his first portfolio was something of a disaster compared to his work now, considering most of it was just quidditch shots and things from school, but it was still better than most amateurs.  He put together some nice work and liked to have fun with the fact he was good.  If it was anything else, he might not have been so bold, but this was different.  And it was Arius, which also made a difference.

They were not typical friends in the least.  In fact, they were probably the farthest from likely that anyone ever would have put together.  Fil was kind of a mess, didn’t know what he was going to do from day to day and looked the part.  He still relied on his father for a lot of his things and worked when he could, but found it difficult considering his problem.  Arius, at least to everyone else, was put together and poised, ready to jet anywhere at the drop of a hat.  He was confidant and could pretty much do whatever he wanted just because he thought he could, regardless of what it was.  It was rather insane, at least to Fillin.

He didn’t want to upset Arius, of course, but he just didn’t want to be what Arius was.  It wasn’t Fil.  He wasn’t the kind of guy that wanted to be made up and pranced around like a show pony.  He was more of a lumbering Newfoundland or something, definitely not what Arius was.  “I guess that’s where we differ,” Fil said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “I’d rather just catch the beauty on film.  Wouldn’t want anyone to pay too much attention to me – takes away from my work, if you think about it.”  He was just throwing out justifications now, but hey, it made him feel better.

Looking at him though, Fil shook his head. “You really got it good,” he pointed out, “Free stuff. Women. Travelling. Makes me wish I had jumped that bandwagon,” he laughed.  “Is there a market for buff guys with terrifying scars over most of their torso?” he snorted, pushing some of his shaggy hair out of his face, revealing a few faint scars on his forehead too.  He had really been done a number to when he was younger, it was lucky he was sitting across from his friend.

“Everything we do is phenomenal, right Fillin? That is our motto! Here's to us!” He raised his glass and then finished the rest of his firewhiskey in a gulp, letting the smoke out into the air above him. They hadnt toasted yet, and Arius loved giving toasts to himself, they were always spectacular and well deserved. He motioned to the waitress to bring him more whiskey, pointing to the entire bottle. It couldn't be too expensive, it's not like firewhiskey was gold or anything. “And a pitcher of ale!”

He smiled at Fillin and winked. They were really the oddest pair that anyone could ever imagine. In fact, if anyone knew that Fillin was a werewolf no one would think Arius would ever go near him. While Fillin kept away and never lost control, one couldn't control such matters and if he did, Arius could be in great trouble. He lived off his looks, if anything were to happen it would be too dreadful to imagine, but Arius trusted Fillin too much to believe that could happen.

Not to mention how opposite they were. Ever heard the song Ebony and Ivory? That should start going Fi-i-llin and Arius (with an extra syllable added on Fillin of course). Arius was polished perfection, he had his dark side but the outside world didn't know that and they didn't see what went on in his mind sometimes. What they saw was an image of perfection, exactly what he was selling. Looking at Fillin one could see mess and a distinct lack of caring about his appearance. That was something that Arius would never allow anyone to say about him.

“Maybe for gay soldiers?” Arius said with a grin. He could imagine that they might like that type of thing. Fillin could be made into the rugged war-torn soldier who still looked stunning on all other aspects. Arius liked the idea and mused to himself on the plausibility of it. “Who knows maybe there are even women out there who have a wounded man fetish.” Arius shrugged and smiled as the waitress set down the pitcher of ale and the bottle of firewhiskey on the table.

He poured himself a large draught and held up his glass to Fillin. “To the marvelous men who decided to make liquor. Merlin bless them.”

“Absolutely!” Fil raised his glass and laughed before chugging down the rest of the drink.  He was probably a lot more talented at that than any man should have been at twenty-two, but he had the practice and, well, if Arius was done with number two, t was something of an equivalent.  The glass he was using was smaller, after all, and Fil didn't want to fill up too quickly.  He liked to enjoy himself, even if the occasional chug was in order.  Fil was probably more equipped to handle it than anyone, so why not?  He’d probably go straight home after this anyway.  Take a nap, then take Carlyle for a walk – sounded like a day for him.  Then he’d cook – or just eat some bacon… that was just as good.

His daydreams of food were enough to keep him occupied for hours.  Unfortunately, he did not want to spend the time Arius had carved out of his schedule wondering what would be better – bacon wrapped in ham, or ham wrapped in bacon.  It would, in the end, produce the same effect, but did one want to bite into the ham first and then get the bacon after, or be greeted by bacon and then surprised by ham!  These subtleties were important, though, Fil reasoned, he could try it both ways and make the decision from that.  He was rather excited about the thought – going home wouldn’t be too bad.

He usually didn’t like to be by himself, and thought Carlyle was company that Fil understood (he was very in-tune with his canine side), he didn’t like to have no one to talk to, and unfortunately, that was how he found he spent most of his existence.  So, he wandered the streets and took pictures instead, at least that way he was amongst a group.  It was true, wolves were very social animals, and werewolves were the same.  When you added wolf instincts to humans, well, it did not make for a solitary man, even though Fil pretended to be one. 

Thankfully, he had no ale in his mouth or it would have sprayed all over Arius.  His eyes opened wide and he couldn’t even believe that Arius had said that. Well, actually he could believe it – but that didn’t stop him from being rather shocked about the whole thing.  That was just… wow. Fil thought it was ironic, considering what he had come to the area for in the first place, but really?  He shook his head, a rather awkward shade of crimson, and looked at the table, pouring the liquid from the pitcher into his mug for a distraction. “You’re disgusting,” Fil said, still shaking his head.  “Couldn’t I be a wounded soldier with a sexy, half-dressed female nurse?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

He raised his glass, however, and nodded. “Saints, I say,” he commented and leaned back in the booth, taking a full swig of the ale.  It was really a great choice on his part.  “And the perfect way to spend an afternoon.  I had a rough morning,” he shook his head, perhaps he could let Arius in on his problem – maybe he’d have some wisdom to share – he was always better at this kind of thing anyway.

Olivia had been so excited to see Fil today when he was talking to Fauna. She had loved seeing Fil because it seemed so long since she last did. She knew there were letters to send but it just wasn’t the same. Ollie loved to wrap her arms around Fil in a big bear hug. Admittedly seeing him talking to Fauna had actually been rather shocking because she was curious as to what they had actually been talking about before she arrived. Still nothing could have stopped her excitement from seeing her big brother Fil, okay so maybe he wasn’t her big brother bout he might as well be.

Olivia had just stopped into the Three Broomsticks for a butter beer whilst in Hogsmeade, and as soon as she walked in she scanned around to see if she knew anyone. Immediately she spotted Fil sitting with some gorgeous face she was sure she had seen. Olivia was rather curious to find out just who this person was, but he was definitely drool worthy. That was Olivia for you she was rather boy crazy, but it didn’t stop her from having some affectionate feelings for her friend Fauna.

Olivia skipped over to Fil and wrapped her arms around him giving him a big hug from behind. She nuzzled her head against him for a second and didn’t want to let go. “You haven’t left yet!” She said in an excited tone as she let go of him and sat down next to him. She flashed a smile from him to Fil’s friend. She finally figured out why she new the face. “Hey I have seen you before in pictures.” She said with some excitement.