18 August, 1890

Miss Auror,

I hope the past twelve hours haven't been too stressful. I believe you left something at the pub last night.

- Lachlan MacFusty

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with the letter is her auror's badge and a single key

  

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— way too attractive set by mj <3 —

August 18th, 1890

Mr. Macfusty,

You had my badge?! I've been ransacking my flat and retracing my steps all night searching for it. Where did you find it?

Thank you for being a respectable citizen and returning my badge. I trust you didn't use it for nefarious purposes?

This key doesn't belong to me. Are you sure it isn't yours?

Auror F. Abernathy

the key has been returned

  

18 August, 1890

Miss Auror,

I found it on the seat next to me a near twenty minutes after you left. I was unable to find you in the crow, but I couldn't exactly return it to the Ministry at midnight.

Are you sure the key isn't yours? It was piled directly underneath your badge. I don't see how it couldn't be yours.

- Lachlan MacFusty

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send with the key

  

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— way too attractive set by mj <3 —

August 18th, 1890

Mr. Macfusty,

What's odd is I don't remember carrying my badge with me last night. Either way, I'm relieved to have it back and will be mentioning the incident to my superior. How peculiar.

This key is not mine. I'll be keeping it for the time being in case something comes of it. If you happen upon its owner I will be glad to return it.

Wise decision not to head into the ministry at midnight. The worst of the workaholics are there at that hour and are usually fairly grumpy. Thank you again for getting my badge back to me.

I still expect you to hit a Moroccan for me.

Auror F. Abernathy

  

18 August, 1890

Miss Auror,

I hope you know how suspicious and even mildly concerning that sounds to a normal person. What do you mean, you didn't bring your badge?

- Lachlan MacFusty

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— way too attractive set by mj <3 —

August 18th, 1890

Mr. Macfusty,

I was off duty and in plain clothes. Do you carry a broom and beater's bat everywhere you go?

Abernathy

  

18 August, 1890

Miss Auror,

I would if they were badge-sized.

- Lachlan MacFusty

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— way too attractive set by mj <3 —

August 18th, 1890

Mr. Macfusty,

I maintain that I was off duty, in plain clothes, and drinking. Not exactly the representative of the ministry you would want waving an auror's badge.

Abernathy

  

19 August, 1890

Miss Auror,

To be fair, you don't strike me as particularly terrifying—but that may be our first encounter talking.

- Lachlan MacFusty

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— way too attractive set by mj <3 —

August 19th, 1890

Mr. Macfusty,

Next time I'll leave you to duel a dark wizard on your own. Good luck.

Abernathy

  

19 August, 1890

Miss Auror,

I see I've offended you. Forgive me. If it helps, I think the less scary-looking aurors are more effective. It's easier to be caught off guard by a five-foot-something woman than a six-foot mountain of a man. (I would recommend working on your stealth, though. Now I know you're mad. I'm only teasing.)

- Lachlan MacFusty

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— way too attractive set by mj <3 —

Unsent:

August 19th, 1890

Mr. Macfusty,

If you were at all aware of the potential disaster (and disaster, considering a woman did nearly get abducted) you caused, you would be less stressed about my stealth abilities — which I assure you are on par with all aurors and more concerned with your own inability to properly assess a situation. I was casting wards to protect the muggles from the spilled amortentia and dark magic, not that I need to justify myself to you.

Abernathy

Sent:

August 19th, 1890

Mr. Macfusty,

I'm not offended in the least. If I listened to every person who doubted my abilities, I would be far from the person I am today. Rest assured I survived auror training just like the six feet oafs you readily trust and can protect our citizens.

Auror F. Abernathy

  

19 August, 1890

Auror Abernathy,

I don't remember saying anything about doubting your abilities, did I? Nor do I remember saying anything about trusting the large six-foot oafs.

- Lachlan MacFusty

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— way too attractive set by mj <3 —

August 19th, 1890

Mr. Macfusty,

You seemed quite surprised and ready to question my abilities. Is that not the definition of doubt?

Would we even be having this conversation if I was a tall man?

Auror F. Abernathy

  

19 August, 1890

Auror Abernathy,

I'm not questioning your abilities. I don't think it's unfair to suggest that's it's uncommon for a woman to be an auror, nor that someone who is five-foot-something is less intimidating than a six-foot someone. I'd be more intimidated by a six-foot man than a five-foot-something man, their sex aside.

I don't see why this is a becoming an argument. I promise I'm much better at giving answers if you ask them directly.

- Lachlan MacFusty

P.S. I don't think I would have talked to you this long if you were a tall man.

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The following 1 user Likes Lachlan MacFusty's post:1 user Likes Lachlan MacFusty's post
   Fallon Gillespie

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— way too attractive set by mj <3 —

August 20th, 1890

Mr. Macfusty,

It's those assumptions that make it so difficult for women to become aurors in the first place. That if you appear tiny or distressed, then you're instantly a damsel in need of saving. Your being on board the train was a complication that nearly resulted in an innocent womab being taken. Why? Because you thought it prudent to question me when I informed you I was with the ministry. My answer should have been enough for you, but because I'm physically smaller and a woman it wasn't.

It's not an argument, it's facts. Most men — no, people, have doubted and questioned me and the few women I work with. You cannot blame me for getting defensive.

Auror F. Abernathy

arrived in the wee hours of the morning