January 25th, 1895 — Hogsmeade Hall

It was embarrassing to lose the potion competition on the first try, especially when she was a healer. Sure, some people had lost in the first round and were professional potioneers, but still — people trusted Enid to brew potions that could save their lives. Her cheeks were pink after her dismissal, and did not fade as she remembered the worst part. Nigel was here.

Enid did not beeline to him, but did wander that way once she had her coat on. People would not think it was odd, she was sure — they lived in the same very small town, after all. Still, she was very conscious of leaving a more-than-adequate amount of space between them. "I swear I'm normally much better," she jested, because even though they were both here she could not say exactly what she wanted to. It had to seem like Nigel being here had nothing to do with her.

Nigel Yarwood

  

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set by Bee

Nigel had been warmed by the invitation to come watch Enid in the potions competition. It wasn't something he would have normally gone for, though he supposed he should have, given it was Harry's profession after all and he should come support his friends.

Unfortunately, Enid had lost in the first round, and though he thought she had performed admirably, he wasn't the best judge of these things, obviously. It was no matter though, just a competition. He'd been milling about after the round, still waiting to see how anybody else he knew had done. He wanted to talk to Enid, but wasn't it would be sure until later.

"You are capable when it counts, I'm sure." He assured her as she approached, trying to reign in the smile to one of sympathy rather than anything. "I wouldn't have even signed up, so you got further than I would have." Potions had never been his thing.

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Capable when it counts seemed a lot like incapable, even though Enid knew that wasn't at all what Nigel was trying to tell her. She bit her lip, and then tried to hide the expression without smiling at him. It was very important that Enid remember that they were not in their private space at the observatory.

"Your friend's very good," Enid said to change the subject at least slightly off of her. "Mr. Berkwood?"

  

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set by Bee

There would be other competitions, if she really wanted to do better next time. Nigel had faith that she was quite adept at potions, when it mattered. "He's been at it a long time." Nigel said of Harry, who did seem to be doing well. "His workshop looks like a mad scientist's laboratory. I take him ingredients from the dragons sometimes, if there are spare things he can use." Otherwise they would be incredibly expensive and often the ingredients weren't perfect, but still useable. "He's been working with the creature healer on the reservation, come to think of it. I ran into him just outside the Scale this summer once or twice." Business was good, which Nigel was pleased to hear. For all his eccentricities, Harry was good at what he did.

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