Fated encounter -Avery-

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Graham was stumbling home, drunk from a night of heavy drinking. It was dark and cold, smart people were already in their warm homes surrounded by family. There was nobody at home who could see him like this. His wife was killed a year ago and his daughter safe at Hogwarts. Nobody he could embarrass by being like this. But what would he do when the summer vacation would hit? No doubt that his daughter read about him in the news papers. Graham wished he could be a better father, someone Kalli could be proud of. Last time they saw each other everything was still fine. They'd survived the loss of Catherine together. But now he couldn't even manage to stand his own ground. Without a job, how much longer until he'd lose the house and be unable to take care of Kallisto. She deserved better than the future ahead of them. Money troubles and a father with plenty of enemies, no teenager deserved to grow up surrounded by that. 

The almost middle aged man wandered through the streets, lost in such thoughts. He stumbled around and occasionally almost tripped or walked into a street light. It was quiet, no cars driving no animal sounds. A peaceful contrast to the chaos in the man's mind. Close footsteps woke him up. Perhaps they had been there for a while already and he just hadn't noticed them. The usually aware and alert senses of the former Ministry worker were completely numbed by the alcohol spirits. It didn't occur to him that this person was probably minding his own business and going home just like himself. Upon turning and catching a glimpse of the man's face, all Graham could see was that of a Ministry worker. His right hand went immediately for his wand and with his left (and permanently damaged) arm he pressed the man against the wall of the nearest building. Holding his wand pointed at the unfortunate man, Graham panted. "Harper.... Did Umbridge send you to kill me while off guard?"

@cableavery

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Avery had spotted the other as he stumbled home. Avery wasn't stumbling, since he was sober and just taking a walk to clear his head. He paused in his walking though, quietly watching the drunken man, concerned and wanting to help, but not wanting to intrude on a strangers life. Besides, they could be dangerous. However he soon recognised the man who was once his colleague and began to follow him. Just to make sure he at least got home in one piece. He kept his distance at first, sure the other man wouldn't be too amused if he found out someone was following him.

He was eventually proven right about that as Graham began to slow but Avery didn't notice. His lack of attention on the other's speed caused him to get close enough for the drunken werewolf to be noticed. Quickly his eyes followed Graham's hand, though he made no move for his own wand. Not even as he was pinned to the wall. He raised his hands up, palms forward to show he was of no threat, visibly calm even with the wand pointed at him. "Not at all Avery." he replied calmly,his eyes on the wand. "I'm no threat to you. I just want to help"

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Graham glared at the younger man, keeping his wand on him. He wasn't going to attack the man, this was only for defense. Ministry workers were usually enemies. And most assassinations happened during the night when nobody was watching. More than one person wanted Graham dead, so he had to be alert at all times. The werewolf in him managed to get out a small growl despite the fact that Graham was always fighting that side of him. The alcohol made his mind weaker in that matter. "You won't be the first Ministry official who tried to kill me," he told the man in an even tone. The older man's eyes narrowed when Harper claimed not to be a threat. "Help me?" The former politician scoffed, almost chuckled bitterly. "How are you going to help me? resurrect my wife? Undo my curse? Restore my honor and give me back my job?" He wasn't very nice to a person who offered help. But what else could Graham do. He wasn't used to people helping him. He was just a bitter drunk old man.

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Avery let his eyes drift from the wand to Graham's face once he was sure the other was unlikely to actually do anything to him. After all, he hadn't yet so the chances were pretty slim that he would. He kept his gaze on the older man's face as he, tensing only slightly at the small growl, a reaction he couldn't fight. He furrowed his brows a little as he listened to the other before letting his hands fall to his sides. "If I was here to kill you I'd have done it already. I've been following you for five minutes Avery." the ministry official replied simply.

He gave a wry smile at the other's further words. "You know the dead cannot return and that lycanthorpy cannot be cured." he replied almost softly. "But there are places who still hire those the ministry will not. Hogwarts for example. My brother is a teacher there." he nodded.

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"You mean tried to," he said with a half smirk. "I'm harder to kill than you might think." What people saw now was a drunk fool. What they'd forgotten about was how many battles he had fought in and survived despite lost. For some reason death seemed merciful so they kept him alive to suffer. And suffering it was. If it hadn't been for his daughter, he probably tried to end it himself. "It must have been longer than five. I'm not very quick," he chuckled at his own misery and pocketed his wand again. Alright, he'd give this man a chance.

"I was only being sarcastic, Mr. Harper," he mumbled as he rubbed his forehead. If either of those things were possible he'd have traded everything for it. The man did catch him by surprise by his next statement. Graham rose his eyebrow and shook his head. "They won't hire me. Umbridge is making sure no business will hire me. What makes you think that Hogwarts will? They know what I am, they know what I've done and they know what Umbridge will do to the school if they hire a traitor." It was foolish to believe almost hilarious. "If you can get me a job at Hogwarts, I'd buy you an entire evening of drinks," he joked. "Maybe I'd even marry you."