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Current Mood: tired

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*Still yawning, Bernard ambles out of the Staff Quarters, no less bleary after a long shower. He collects his papers, cigarettes, and a cup of coffee, and goes to sit at his usual table.*

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*Ophelia climbs into Bernard's lap, wraps her arms around his neck, and buries her face in his shoulder. She is not a happy flower girl.*

Ack!

*Bernard hastily puts his cigarette in the ashtray so that it doesn't get anywhere near the twisted, knotted mass of her hair. He resigns himself to another salt-stained shirt as she begins to cry in earnest.

One arm firmly around her back, Bernard fishes in his pocket for a handkerchief.*

What's wrong, Little Flower?

*She takes the handkerchief he offers and clutches it in one hand, but doesn't use it. Her voice is muffled by his shoulder.*

Blaise.

*He sighs heavily and rubs her back, trying not to notice the fact that his shoulder is already wet.*

Nymphadora said you had a falling out. What happened?

I broke up with him. Because...

*She sniffles loudly.*

...because I'll be sixteen forever. And he won't.

*For a minute he doesn't know what to say. He takes a deep breath and hugs her tight.*

Well, I think that was a very smart, very grown-up decision to make, sweetheart.

I know you're hurting right now, but I'm proud of you.

But... but...

*Her voice rises to a wail.*

I saw another girl! Kissing him!

*She bursts into a fresh round of tears.*

*Bernard's mouth drops open, and his eyes narrow.*

You're shitting me.

*She looks up at him, her face puffy and tear-streaked.*

No! I came in last night and she was kissing him and he didn't stop her and...

I still love him.

*He takes the unused handkerchief from her limp fingers and wipes at her tear-stained cheeks.*

'Course you do, sweetpea. You just broke up.

Now.

*He ducks his head and looks her in the eyes, smiling slightly despite the flinty blue of his own gaze.*

What can we do about it?

I don't know. I want him to be happy.

*She ducks her head and hides behind a tangle of curls.*

But I didn't think he'd be happy so soon.

*He drops a kiss on her hair and hugs her again*

Sometimes...

Sometimes people try really hard to move on to other people when a relationship ends. They think it'll make them feel better.

*She hides her face against his shoulder again.*

But it hurts. Maybe I shouldn't have... he didn't want to... Tonks said... I don't know. I don't like it.

*His brow furrows.*

What did she say?

She said. Um.

*Her brow furrows in thought.*

She said not to limit my options because I'm afraid. And that I never know what might happen. And that Blaise should be able to choose.

Hmmmm.

*He smiles against her forehead, rubbing her back again as she sob-hiccups faintly.*

Well. She's not entirely wrong. But I still think you made a very sensible choice.

*He pulls back to look her in the eyes again, tipping her chin up.*

Sweetheart, what do you want?

*Ophelia pouts up at him.*

I don't know, Laertes.

*She shakes her head and blinks several times.*

Bernard. You're Bernard.

*He's speechless. After a moment, he nods.*

*Ophelia gazes over his shoulder for a moment, looking very far away. Then she focuses on a solitary figure (http://www.livejournal.com/community/milliways_bar/2503138.html) across the room. She points slowly.*

Bernard. That's... there. That's Blaise.

*He turns, and sees him. His eyes narrow.*

You want me to talk to him?

Yes. No. I don't know. Maybe. Do you want to talk to him?

*He sits and stares at the boy for a minute, thinking.*

...I think I do.

*She stares at Blaise for a moment, then looks back to Bernard.*

Then yes. Talk to him.

*He kisses her on the cheek, then extricates himself and walks over to Blaise (http://www.livejournal.com/community/milliways_bar/2503138.html?view=96128482#t96128482).*

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