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Harry Potter:"Do you really think there's going to be a war, Sirius?"
Sirius Black: "It… feels like it did before."
TURN ON THE LIGHT is a Post- Potter roleplay that takes place twenty-five years after the Second Wizarding War.
We welcome canon and original characters in this (currently) sandbox style roleplay.
Post by THEODORE SILVESTRI on Nov 3, 2022 14:39:27 GMT
"This isn't gonna work." The Quidditch Keeper declared aloud, hands on either side of her hips.
"Not with that attitude." Teddy responded without missing a beat, his arms crossed over his chest. He had been anticipating a fight. If there wasn't one it wouldn't have been Leah Silvias.
"What attitude?!" She exclaimed only to have both United States National team members (herself and Teddy) parrot back: "That one." Which had her huffing and turning away from her teammate and turning to face his once classmate/friend and her current acquaintance Maxwell McCree. Leah eyed him up and down. "You're kidding me, right?" What was with all of the cowboy garb? He wore it every resistance mission, every meeting, heck! He probably slept in his jeans, hat, and boots.
"Knock it off, Silvias." Theodore warned and for a moment she piped down. Teddy was one of the few people Leah listened to. Whether it was because of his rank on their team or because of their years together and she trusted him (or a mix of both) was up for debate. What mattered though, was that she gave him the floor for the time being. "Max knows what he's doing. He's one of the best spellcasters that I know." When he was sober, but Teddy felt like he shouldn't add that last part especially since he was trying to convince her which was already a 9-5 job as is. "Just give him a shot." Teddy very nearly begged though it came out as an exhausted sigh. "For the love of God... please?"
"I hate to break it to ya, Howdy Doody but you're wasting your effing time." She informed the taller Maxwell calmly. "I can't Wingardium Leviowhatever my way out of a paper bag."
Now Maxwell was no stranger to teaching. He had been training some new aurors lately. However Teddy was going to have to bring in a really nice whisky after this. Because his next student promised to be a difficult one. It was alright, Maxwell never backed down from a fight he felt confident in winning.
He could already hear the duo fighting like a married couple from far away. Jep, he was going to need a drink after dealing with these two. Jeez. As he stepped closer the thought crossed his mind. Why hadn’t he taken an extra glass this morning? He was already having a headache.
With an arched eyebrow, he waited behind them hoping Teddy’s friend would calm down a little. Weren’t they just the cutest couple, he thought as he caught a glimpse of their conversation. She seemed to turn around and finally notice him. He stood wide, with his arms crossed in front of his chest. Ever sporting his hat, flannel shirt, jeans and boots. Which she apparently had some opinions about, not that he cared. “Ah’m afraid Ah’m deadly serious, darlin’,” he said with a fake sorrow in his voice and an exaggerated pout.
“Naw you flatter me, darlin’,” he quickly blew his old schoolmate a kiss before turning to Silvias. “Ain’t he just a sweetheart?” Maxwell wouldn’t miss the chance to embarrass an old friend. Teddy clearly deserved it after signing him up with an adult toddler. A low chuckle escaped his lips at the poor cowboy impression. “Well ain’t this your lucky day then? We ain’t here to pull no witches outta bags.” He paused and thought about how he was going to handle this. “Yer a keeper right? In Quidditch.” Some small talk to break the ice was going to be in place. This definitely was going to be a slow burn. “Well Ah used to be a beater, you can ask pretty boy over there all about it. How is your jaw doin’, darlin’?” He was hoping they were starting to get a hint of where he was going as he pulled his wand. “Ya know it’s kinda hard to keep guardin’ those goals when you’re all beat up…” Today's lesson: defense before offense. THEODORE SILVESTRI ,
Post by THEODORE SILVESTRI on Nov 5, 2022 18:24:25 GMT
With Maxwell uttering his first words Leah groaned, tossing her head back dramatically. "Ugh. He ever has the same accent my Woody doll had." She lamented.
Off to the side Teddy rolled his eyes at her display before looking to his old pal Max. "Don't worry." He clapped him firmly on the shoulder. "She'll get it out of her system... eventually." Not likely.
The red head's brown eyes glanced up, unafraid and unapologetic at Maxwell proceeding to try and further push his buttons. "Has anyone ever told you that you look like you belong in a black and white movie that has aged very poorly?" Color her impressed. He was handling this ribbing relatively well. She might like this guy. Only a little though. The kiss he blew Teddy which made the man blush and look away suddenly very overwhelmed and utterly embarrassed had her on the cowboy's side even more than before.
"I am." At the question about her Quidditch position she turned a bit more serious, more compliant. As the man went on she quirked her brow at his descriptions. Holy cow. He actually made sense. At this she lightened up a bit.
"I like 'im." She declared, stepping back to admire him.
"You do?!" Theodore couldn't believe this turnaround.
"Yeah. Ok buckaroo..." She proceeded to reach into her jeans pocket and pull out her wand holding it out and widening her stance. "Rock my world."
Teddy couldn't believe what he was seeing but he did know it would be wise to take a step back and absent mindedly rest his hand on his own wand. Just in case.
Maxwell moved his arms from crossing in front of his chest to leaning on his belt. A thick eyebrow was arched at the woody remark. “Ah’ll asure you the flesh and bones edition is a lot sexier,” he joked about himself before turning in a little sly smirk. “Besides, ya’d be surprised how many people request quotes durin’ the deed.” He cringed at his own memories because, no he wasn’t going to do another woody impression while getting hot and dirty ever again. “Ah’ll just have ya know upfront that those requests are out of order.” Firm boundaries had to be set just in case.
The cowboy shrugged at his little chaser friend. He didn’t mind, in fact he was actually kind of amused. It was like talking to an overgrown adult toddler with spunk. “Oh yeah, me in the mirror every day. Though Ah like to think Ah aged like fine wine,” he teasingly replied as he scratched his jaw with his thumb. Who knew different opinions existed. Though Max knew what the superior one was. Maxwell grinned in amusement when he caught Teddy’s blush. The poor chap had never been able to handle Maxwell’s teasing well. Seemed some things never changed.
He patiently waited to see if she’d bug and was surprised to see how quickly she gave in. “Good, buckle up, pardner,” he winked at Leah as they both stood ready. “So to improve yer combat, survivability is the most important element to focus on. And since ya’re a Quidditch player, Ah figured ya’d have quite some experience with dodging bludgers,” he started. “So before we’re gonna be practicin’ any counterspells, ye’re just gonna dodge mah attacks.” He eyed the wand in her hand. “Ah mean, unless ye’re confident gettin’ to step two already.”
Post by THEODORE SILVESTRI on Nov 5, 2022 18:40:35 GMT
Fine wine? "More like Hi-C." With every passing second Leah seemed to be digging Maxwell more and more Theodore noted. Having gotten to know the woman over a decade Teddy could see why. The other man didn't shirk under sarcasm. Where Teddy could handle daggers being thrown at him and shrug them off when you threw daggers at Maxwell, he caught them and threw them right back. It was like a game to the two them and not one he could say he understood. One that he expected? Sure. And hey, at least they weren't killing one another. Which, good - there was enough people outside the mansion trying to do that already.
"Ok. I think that's enough of that." Teddy awkwardly turned down the flirtations aimed his way by Max. Sometimes he wasn't sure if the approach was genuine or all a joke (perhaps a mix of both?) but he did know he didn't exactly enjoy how his two friends were teaming up against him seemingly relishing in how he squirmed as a result.
"Says who?"
"You know... Everybody. Me. Me. And, oh yeah, me." He went on, walking along the side of the room before casually plopping down on a table, dangling his long legs as green eyes watched the two. "Enough stalling." He waved his hand in their direction. "Have at it but you know-" He looked at Maxwell, lowering his gaze in light warning. "Don't hurt her if you can help it. Especially not that right arm." Leah frowned catching his gaze. "What? That's your throwing arm. The good one." Yeah. Somehow not helping your case Teddy boy. "Fine. Fine." Holding two fingers up he pointed to the ceiling and then pointed to each of them. "Proceed." Shit was about to go down and he would be lying if he didn't say he was a little excited to witness it.
“Ah figured ya’d have quite some experience with dodging bludger."
"Some. To varying degrees of success." Leah shrugged to which Teddy nodded and 'uh huhed' in agreement reaching into his pocket and shoving a muggle warhead candy into his mouth sucking on it on the left side of his mouth. "Ok." She readied her stance bending her knees. Dodging should be easy enough. She didn't even have to spell cast for that (which is good - cause she BLEW at it). Unable to help herself, she winked back. "Lets do this."
"Remember - Rule one: Don't kill her." Teddy learned forward holding his breath. This was gonna be good.
“Oh Ah’m definitely a smashin’ wild berry. Which flavor are you?” Maxwell went totally in on the jab. The key in life was to not take yourself seriously. It made things so much more fun when you could just have a little laugh at yourself. Every student needed a different approach did they. Maxwell actually liked his new fiery one more than he cared to admit. Much more fun than just a classic lesson.
“Sorry, buddy,” he grinned when Teddy told him to stop with the playful flirtatious. Poor little Teddy was never quite able to handle those. Even back at Ilvermorny it was fun to tease the guy. But Maxwell would stop the moment it got too far. He wasn’t going to turn into a bully. The auror laughed when the slightly younger male told him to quit the stalling. “Oi oi, tellin’ me how to do my teachin'?” He clicked with his tongue three times while shaking his head. “That’s gonna cost ya, darlin’.”
Maxwell rolled up his sleeves as he narrowed his eyes cowboy style at his student. “Can’t make any promises. It’ll all depend on how quick she picks up in this.” Of course he was just messing with them at this point. But he wasn’t going to tell them he was going to hold back. There would be no motivation in that. “Well who knows, perhaps you’ll actually be a better keeper too when we’re done,” he said playfully as he started to aim his wand. He non-verbally cast his first curse. His hand movement could give away it was the babbling curse that’d come for her. A yellow light left the tip of his wand and he watched how well she’d do with doding before throwing out his second one. This one was a red light. He then grinned at Teddy. “A wise man once told me ‘don’t do anything you’re good at for free’.” So if he wanted her dead, he’d have to pay up.
Post by THEODORE SILVESTRI on Nov 5, 2022 19:04:57 GMT
It was worth it, Leah decided in that moment with a wicked smirk she did little to cover up. This whole floundering at spells thing was worth it just to watch Teddy writhe uncomfortably at their team up. "Teddy's more of a water from the tap guy." She added which had her teammate and Captain rolling his eyes and frowning at her, one hand rested on his hips with the irritation of someone who went through this with both her and Maxwell regularly. "What?" She frowned, her hand finding its way to her own hip as she shrugged. "You're not gonna tell me you think you're the red Gatorade. Everyone wants to be the red Gatorade, Silvestri but there comes a point in everyone's life that you acknowledge that you're probably the yellow one." Yes. She enjoyed this very much... for the time being.
“Can’t make any promises. It’ll all depend on how quick she picks up in this.”
"Great." Yeah. This was going to be a disaster Theodore decided as the sinking feeling lodged in his stomach. It was the calm before the storm and the winds were going to be rough.
"How can you be better at best?" She was distracted by Maxwell's little remark enough to be hit by the first spell. Taking two steps back in recoil, eyes wide from surprise that he had actually done it, she held her wand back up and ducked dodging the second spell. That was a good thing at least. She liked her legs the way they were: usable.
"Not too bad if I do say so myself and I do. Touch and go for a little bit but made it out ok. I think so. Don't you think so? Teddy? Can I call you Teddy? I'm gonna call you Teddy. It sounds weird as I say it though doesn't it? I usually just call you by your last name. Teddy you think so? Reminds me of that match against Bulgaria in 2015. We were down by a lot and Igroff knocked Ruben off his broom with a sideswipe and we thought it would be game over but we pulled it through - without a seeker too! Pretty legendary if I do say so myself and I do. Hey! So like that match but here now with the ducking. My ducking was aces just now. Does your friend think so? John Wayne over here. Oh wow. That wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be and I thought it was gonna be. Did you think so Teddy? I'm gonna call you Teddy. I'm still gonna call you it actually. Look at us. We have fun." She smiled at both of them brightly, a bit breathless not so much from the spell dodging but from the rambling curse. She had forgotten about that one.
Teddy meanwhile looked over at Maxwell with a bit of a heavy sigh. "Make it stop." He asked (pleaded) his friend before dragging his left hand slowly down his face. This was going to be a long day.
Maxwell burst into a loud laughter when Leah called Teddy a tap-water guy. It was funny because it was true. Teddy was that kind of person that everyone needed in their lives but tended to get overlooked. The guy had been there when Max needed someone and he could never forget that. Perhaps it was the sole reason why he agreed to teaching someone between his busy schedule. He took great joy in seeing them interact. Wouldn’t they just make the sweetest couple? Nobody could convince Max otherwise.
Back to the actual training, Maxwell saw his first spell hit and thought right away: “Oh boy we’re in for a treat.” Oh and how right he was. No he wasn’t going to make it stop just yet. He let her ramble for a good half minute with a sly smirk on his face until he undid the curse. “Back in line, we’re going for another round,” he said, not giving her time to catch her breath again. “Perhaps….” His hazel eyes shot at Teddy. “Hey buddy how about you stand behind her?”
Post by THEODORE SILVESTRI on Nov 5, 2022 19:24:59 GMT
In for a treat? "You have no idea." The professional Quidditch keeper grinned mischievously. Since her attack she had only had this much fun with Rawiri Tibble but other instances were few and far between (like the night out with old classmates Sally and Ferricus). This particular moment with Maxwell and Theodore was looking like another rare check in the ole positive column. "I'll have you know that I'm actually quite the surprising individual. Like this one time against Norway I-" She continued to ramble on due to the hex much to Teddy's annoyance.
"Would really love a little less fun a little more learning myself." Theodore spoke up under the guise of clearing his throat, interrupting the newfound duo's banter. Teddy wasn't sure if he absolutely hated or adored how Leah and Max were getting along. Though Theodore had known his second in command for years on and off the pitch and they knew a lot about each other, to understand all of Leah's eccentricities was a level that he had not yet reached even after well over a decade. A part of him was scared of what he might find.
Leah was still going on when Maxwell announced his instruction. She clamped her mouth shut, still making sounds despite the lips being closed, and fell in line. This had Teddy's brow raising in intrigue. Leah really only listened to their coach Jeremy, himself, and precious few others - and even with that grouping of folks it was touch and go. She seemed to like Max. Figures. Most everybody did. Some did an awful lot.
"Me?" Teddy frowned, shaking his head from where he sat and holding up his hands in a halt motion. "Nah. I don't think so." Maxwell was up to no good. He could already tell. "This practice is for her not me, man."
Maxwell grinned and crossed his arms. “You’re definitely a surprisin’ one, Silvias.” It was a compliment. She really was one of a kind. Knowing Teddy, she probably gave his old friend a hard time. Enjoying the entertainment that played before them Max grabbed his bag to prepare the next stage.
“Fun is a good way to learn, my grumpy pal,” he teased Teddy once more. It just came too natural. Establishing a good mood motivates people. If they hated class, they were less likely to succeed. This was all part of the lesson plan he had mapped out. Perhaps his teaching wasn't a traditional style but they worked best for him. "You're doin' great, darlin'," he shot Leah a wink and a thumb up.
“Ey, what is this kind of mentality man. Are you going to sit there all day and complain about us or are you actually goin’ to help teach her?” Teddy surely knew Max well enough to have figured out where he was going. He revealed the quaffle from the bag. “You really would make a lovely goal.” His hazelnut brown eyes shimmered, revealing his plan. “Silvias, you’re going to dodge while keepin’ your goal quaffle free.”
Post by THEODORE SILVESTRI on Nov 5, 2022 19:46:29 GMT
Nope. He didn't like this one bit. "That's enough of that." He warned, stepping between his two closest friends. "Last thing I need is the two of you joining forces. Then I'll never get a moment's peace." But that was probably long gone wasn't it? With everything in the world that they were currently facing? Still, it was nice to be in a room with two of the closest people to him... for a few moments it felt like old times, and they all could pretend that the world outside didn't exist. They desperately needed that.
"He is grumpy, isn't he?" Leah latched onto the comment all too eagerly with a smile.
"No I'm not!" Teddy was quick to argue back with narrowed eyes and a furrowed brow that only made his Quidditch teammate smile even wider. "I'm perfectly normal. You two are just bonkers nuts." He lectured, looking Max's way. Leah teasingly mocked him silently speaking the words of his little speech behind him. Sensing this, Teddy spun around grabbing her in his arms (he had the size advantage) picking her up and the two wrestled to the ground taking Max down with them.
When all was said and done Leah sighed, lying on her side looking at the two boys. "Been a while since a good old-fashioned doggy pile. I must say I would have far preferred it be with the men of the New Zealand team... But this is fine." This earned her another shove from Theodore who was now working his way to his feet. Leah then turned her attention on Max. "Didn't you know? If Quidditch doesn't pan out Teddy can have a part-time job as a complainer."
"Probably should have thought that one through before signin' me up to teach her, Teds," he grinned at his usually clever friend. Well would you look at that Maxwell was actually having some childish fun after all these years. It felt strange in these dark times between all the pain and worry.
"Is he? He don't look much different from his usual self," he said to Leah and then threw a playful wink at Teddy. Maxwell adored Theodore Silvestri, despite how frustrated and confused the man tended to make him. Despite all they'd been through it never changed. But he was glad they were back at being casual like this. For now.
"Some would call us bonkers, some would call us free. It's just a matter of viewing life," he shrugged. In this crazy world one had to be a little crazy to remain sane. Maxwell snorted into a laugh when he saw Leah mimicking Teddy. "Spot on, Silvias." The man himself seemed to notice. "Real gentleman, Teds. Why don't you fight someone of your own size." And just like that they were pummeled into a wrestle. "Oi, if you want a three way, you can just ask."
Laying on the ground he laughed at the silliness of their situation. "You failed that dodge, Silvias. It needs work," he grinned now coming after the younger one. Rolling to his side, he 'accidentally' tripped Teddy again because some men never really grew up. Maxwell had to grow up too early which made him want to act like a child sometimes if he could. "He'd be the best of the best."
Post by THEODORE SILVESTRI on Nov 5, 2022 19:52:14 GMT
"I should think an awful lot through but here we are." Theodore murmured, appearing unamused by his friends' antics as they bounced off of one another. He should have expected an outcome like this though - if any of their previous behavior solo around him was any indication. The professional Quidditch Chaser was a bright man and should have surmised that the inevitable would occur: this. Just this.
"I'll catch on someday." He shrugged nonchalantly, reaching out he pinched Leah's elbow like a big brother might a little sister which had her gasping, furrowing her brow in annoyance, and fwapping him upside the head. "Hey! Knock it off." Yes, in a world where things were up in the air and people could disappear at any moment, it was nice to have bickering and rivalries to humble you.
Her brown eyes caught glimpse of Max looking at a very overwhelmed Teddy and her brow quirked in question. While she was oblivious to dealings and flirtations having to do with herself there was just something about how the burly man looked at her teammate that she found... intriguing. She couldn't put her finger on it, not exactly, but a part of her wondered...
"Yeah. Right." Teddy scoffed at the comment about a three way immediately finding it ridiculous and more than a little of a humiliating suggestion as the tips of his ears burned. "I'll get right on that." He murmured, declining, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt that had become undone in the scuffle. Leah opened her mouth for a sarcastic remark but he was well ahead of her. "Not like that." She smiled but didn't say a word. "Seriously..." Accompanied by a roll of the eyes, in his mind, ended the matter. "At least I would be the best at something which is more I can say for the two of you dummies. Most annoying maybe..."
"It needs work."
"I am a constant work in progress." Lying on the ground she sighed, looking up at the ceiling in a moment of relaxation - a rarity nowadays. Teddy was tripped and though she didn't see it she heard the telltale signs of feet against unsuspecting feet and a stumble. Stifling a quiet laugh to herself she counted the cracks in the ceiling. One, two, three, four, too many. The answer was too many.
"You used to live with Silvestri right?" The question directed at Max came out of nowhere as Leah sat up criss-cross applesauce, brow raised in question. "Back at Ilverphony or whatever..."
"Ivermorny." Teddy corrected firmly with a frown. "Honestly, Silvias. You could have went there." He resisted the urge to release a sigh, crossing his arms over his chest his blazer's patches in the elbows revealed. Really he should have bought a new one, he had the funds to do so, but Teddy liked what he liked. "You kids have no respect."
"You're only, like, three years older than me!"
"To borrow a phrase from you - I said what I said." A twinkle and a hint of a smile pulled at his thin lips as he looked at his two friends on the floor. Gosh, he adored the both of them to bits... not that he could ever say that. He showed it in different ways he liked to think.
“Eh, that just makes you human, Teds. If we all knew what was going to happen, life would be boring and uneventful,” he patted his old roommate on the back. Honestly he wished he sometimes would have been able to know what the outcome would be from the choices he made. Had he known he’d never have accepted Mr. Williams’ offer and he probably still would have been living in the USA.
He couldn’t help but chuckle at the little banter between Teddy and Leah. Perhaps he was wrong about thinking they might make a cute couple because the more and more time he spent with the two, they gave him the same vibes as his siblings did.
Wasn’t Theodore just the easiest to tease? Leah was probably having a free game. But he noticed a lot of love between the two so Teddy wasn’t too upset with it or so things seemed. "Oh Teddy, you haven't changed one bit," he grinned and nudged his friend. “Oh no, she is definitely the most witty and Ah’m the most yeehah.” Was that even a thing? Well it was now.
A sigh left his lips when Leah said she was a constant work in progress. “Ain’t we all,” he closed his eyes. Damn that one hit personally. Ever since the vampire attack Maxwell had been struggling in life. To do the right thing and to do everything that had to be done. But instead making all the worst deciduous and hurting the people he loved most. Swallowing because damn he didn’t want his thoughts to drift to a dark place, he was glad she directly asked him. “Yeah we were roommates, Mr. world-star chaser left his dirty towels everywhere. Wait, ain’t you American either?” He tilted his head when Silvias butchered the name of their school. “Homeschooled?”
Once again the interaction between Leah and Teddy had him smiling. The tiniest hint of a smile from his friend’s face was such a nice sight. It didn’t happen often that he saw Teddy enjoying himself. Maxwell treasured the rare sighting in silence.
Post by THEODORE SILVESTRI on Nov 5, 2022 19:59:37 GMT
"What's wrong with uneventful?" Theodore mused quietly, though loud enough to be heard by both of his friends, shrugging off the patronizing little pat that Max gave him. "Just because something is uneventful doesn't make it boring. Nothing wrong with consistent and dependable." He knew that Max wasn't trying to tease and probably meant every bit of what he said, but this was yet another difference the two men shared. Max had hope whereas Teddy had none. Max was seemingly positive and glass half full while Teddy tended to be more logical pessimistic and found the glass endlessly half empty. Still they worked somehow.
At the comment about him not changing a bit he fixed his blazer pulling at the sleeves and then the hem, rolling his shoulders so that he looked semi 'presentable' again. "Again, nothing wrong with dependable and lord knows you both could use someone who is or you'd both be lost." He didn't want to see himself as boring and he certainly hoped his two dearest friends didn't see him that way either. A small part of him, deep down, was worried but masked it relatively well.
At Max's question Leah shrugged, sitting up on the floor. "Nah. Hogwarts. Was easier with the training facility and them needing to make sure that I adjusted to magical life. Whatever that means." She shrugged lowering her air quotations. "She went to school with Tibble. Played professionally for a bit... New coach for the Arrows." Teddy smirked. "You two were close, no?"
"Ugh. Yeah fucking right." She was the next one to rise to her feet though she didn't bother to fix her appearance like Teddy had mainly because she didn't care. Who was she trying to impress? No one... except secretly maybe someone not in this room who Theodore had just mentioned. "Yeah. We were both Gryffies. He's a little older though and a lot more annoying." The Keeper rolled her eyes for emphasis. "If you haven't already gathered that on your own."
"I dunno. Not annoying enough apparently." Teddy was treading on dangerous ground but he welcomed it. He liked to push her buttons almost as much as she enjoyed pushing his.
"Excuse me?"
"He was visiting you an awful lot last year... I mean... Until around Christmastime. Trading game tips?" She looked away avoiding the question, something Teddy noted and frowned. Ok. Maybe this wasn't as fun as he had been expecting.
"You're just trying to throw people off your trail. Aren't you dating one of the Irish players? The redhead with the freckles?"
"That's all of them." It was Teddy's turn to frown. "And no. I'm not. I haven't dated anyone since Natalia." The model with gorgeous good looks and a heck of a spellcasting arm. They had dated for about two years and many papers predicted a marriage on the horizon... until she met another Quidditch player who she fancied more mainly because he could separate work and play. Teddy could not. And so the story goes... Speaking of, Leah's attention was now on Max.
