[Ingle-lowe] So close, yet so far. [Chael]

School was officially over for the seventh years that stood behind after everything that happened. Mallory Harrison was not one of them. She dropped out before the school year because the bad the memories and she needed to make sure that her emotions were controlled completely. For the past year she was in and out of Mungo's and working on controlling her metamorphmagi abilities. She finally has matured in a young adult. She actually took the tests that she was supposed to take on her seventh year. This woman was not going to attempt to become an auror anytime soon that she planned. Fashion was still her life. During this past year she met many new people that she would never thought about meeting and actually was enjoying her life. Something was missing though. Chael. She missed that boy more than anything. School was now out so she could finally see his handsome face.

A couple days ago Mallory sent an owl to Chael asking him to meet her at Ingle-Lowe in Diagon Alley. The café was pretty close to her loft but her getting there was not he worry. She was not sure if he was willing to meet her only because Chael and her haven't been talking to each other much since she left school. They were inseparable when she was still at Hogwarts but after leaving Mallory had her on things to deal with and he did had his own issues. Mallory was not the same person she used to be and she was not even sure who Chael was.

As she slipped a scarf around her neck to match her gray shirt she took a step back to look at her outfit. It was pretty plain. She hasn't been designing many outfits lately because she was busy at Weasley's store and working for Mr. Walker. Yet Mallory looked pretty still in her own opinion. Taking a deep breath her hair turned to a bright magenta color. "Oh bloody -" She shook her head hoping it would turn back to her natural blonde but it stood that vibrate shade. It was her nerves appearing meeting Chael. The magenta would have to stay. Slipping her on tennis shoes she quickly grabbed her change purse and left her apartment. As soon as she closed her apartment door she apparted right in front of Ingle-Lowe. Mallory's blue eyes scanned horizon checking the crowds of people on Diagon Alley's street to see if he was around. Nothing. Sighing she went inside and grabbed a table to save it just in case he did show up. It was located in the back away from everybody. A table for two.

Chael had recently moved to London, and was enjoying every minute of it. He had an internship at the Ministry of Magic and had his own apartment. What was there not to love? Plus, now that he lived on his own he could have all the hot chocolate he wanted and no one could judge him -- apart from himself. However, Chael still felt like he was missing something. His beautiful girlfriend wasn't too far away anymore but she still wasn't exactly close. The two of them had their hardships that they went through when she decided to quit school and Chael had a lot to think about now.

Today he was meeting up with Mallory at a cafe because they both had a free schedule. Chael was nervous but excited to see his girlfriend of several years. He couldn't lie that it had been a hard past year. He wanted nothing more than to be in her presence but all he had was photographs. Now she was going to be in front of him, the real deal and he didn't know how he was going to react.

Entering the cafe, he looked around and spotted his beautiful girlfriend in the back. They definitely loved their privacy, at least he did. Beaming, he went to the table and sat down. Her hair was bright magenta and he smirked a little bit. Typically it was blonde but when she was nervous or excited it changed colors. Typically Chael would frown upon such a things but it was what made Mallory so special.

"I've missed you more than words can describe." he said, grabbing her hand.

Chael's face was the only thing that made her nerves settle down a little more. It was so amazing to see. He was perfection in her eyes. They were together since their fifth year and he was still that one boy that made her happier than anything. As he grabbed her hand she gripped his a little tighter, her hair still that bright magenta color. "I missed you too." Mallory just wanted to jump over the table and snog him to peices. He recently got a job at the ministry and now is working there. Mallory thought it would've been a good idea to try to become an auror again since she took her tests, but that wouldn't be her plan right now. She needed to work on saving money and focusing on who she really was going to be in the future. Fighting just stressed her out. Yes she would have good camoflague against people who wanted to see if she was an auror or not, but that just wasn't her right now.

"How do you like the ministry so far?" She raised an eyebrow at him. It was just a random question. She just wanted to hear his voice. Owls did not do this boy good. His voice was music to her ears. She was still working on her self control and his voice made her calm down even more. Mallory just wanted him to be around her constantly. He was the only thing that reminded her of the good times. Her life has been so stressful and out of control since her brother being kidnapped and Hogwarts, she wanted something good in it. Something that will stay. Lately they been having their issues but maybe it will be better since he was now closer to her.

"I'm glad you came." Mallory squeezed his hand more, "I was afraid I'll be one of those crazy ladies sitting in the back of a diner by themselves.... that would be embarrassing." She chuckled gently.

Chael tried to sit back and relax. Mallory was one of the most important people in his life right now. She understood him, even though whenal he was with her he put on a much more relaxed and less arrogant and righteous demeanor that he did with other people. It was just her sweetness that made him completely break down the walls he had put up since he was a child. If he had it his way all people would be as amazing as Mallory but at the same time he was glad she was so unique.

When she asked about the ministry, Chael smiled gently. "It's a great experience so far. Though right now they just having me mostly shift through pointless paper work." he said, running his fingers against her hand. To be honest, Chael felt less challenged at the ministry than he would have expected, especially working in the law enforcement department. Like, why weren't they sending criminals to Azkaban? Honestly, if he had it his way there would be trials every day; but he supposed that would come later on.

"What about you? Enjoying working?" he asked, waiting for a truthful answer. "And I would always come Mallory, you mean a lot to me. Speaking of which, there was something I wanted to talk about." he said, in a more serious tone.

"Paper work isn't bad It might be getting better, your just starting off. Are you at least learning a lot about the position?" She continued, "I was still thinking about becoming an auror but I might wait one more year." Mallory's dream was to become an auror. She could easily hide and was amazing at her spell work. Defense Against Dark Arts was one of her best subjects. This woman never seen herself as her parents saw her... a mediwizard. She didn't like hospitals and didn't like anything involving medical studies. Mallory wasn't the brightest tool in the shed and trying to discover what is wrong with someone and fix is not really what she was interested in. Fighting crime and trying to discover who is abusing their right as a wizard was fun and adventure. Yet, right now was pretty nice. Just working to pay the bills and enjoying her life. Now that final piece was there and she finally could enjoy her time. Frankly she wanted to spell all of her free time with Chael. Any moment she could. He was that one thing that kept her calm.

"I love George's store. It fits me. Fun, quirky and I am learning a lot about fireworks." She chuckled. No way was she going to blow herself up now. Mallory knew the differences about all of them. "I am still playing gopher for the Quidditch shop too, sometimes he lets me run it when he needs to go to Australia so that's a plus." Mallory could pay her bills and have a nice apartment. That's the only thing she really wanted to focus on. At least it wasn't as bad as when she first left school. She couldn't find a job and ran out of her money. Mallory's parents wouldn't even supply her with it. Now she was supporting herself and still making clothes on the side.

Chael was serious. Oh dear, maybe she should crack him up or something. Make him smile? Maybe grow a duck bill.... no that won't work with him. Then he said there was something to talk about. What did he want to talk about? They finally had each other. Now Mallory was the optimist and tried to think of good things. Maybe he wanted another cat, Mallory loved cats... no that won't be it. Mallory had no clue what he wanted to talk about. Then bad thoughts appeared in her head. Maybe he wanted to break up. No way that could be it. They finally had each other and finally could get alone time.... Her hair turned to a darker maroon color making her bright eyes appear an abnormal blue color. "What do you want to talk about?" She raised an eyebrow. "You're not breaking up with me right?...." She still had those bad thoughts merging in her head. Mallory had a bad luck streak lately. After David went missing, then Hogwarts, and also finding out the girl who hexed her and destroyed her mind for 4 months was being released from Azkaban.... everything bad keeps happening.

"I suppose I'm learning something, but nothing worthwhile. I'll make sure that changes soon -- I'm a hard worker, they'll notice." he said confidently. He then stared out the window for a brief moment. But would they? Would they see? He needed to be sure of it. Chael wasn't exactly keen at playing their rules. He wished the Ministry was still taken over by the dark side. They knew how to rule the world. He was planning on igniting the same poison into it once he got the chance. All he needed was an in, and alliances.

His glance was quickly taken back to Mallory when she said she was thinking about becoming an auror. He almost glared at her, was she serious? Even though Chael loved the girl to death he knew the two had desperately different values. He bit his lower lip instead. "My dear, why would you want to become an auror?" he asked, as he leaned back further in his chair; trying to seem composed but completely losing it slowly. When she started talking about George's store though it did make him relax a little and smile. Even though Chael hated the Weasley's, he couldn't help but think they were slightly funny.

"Well, I'm glad you enjoy it -- but I think perhaps you'd do well in a secretarial position? What about Gringotts?" he asked, trailing his fingers along the base of the table. "And what I wanted to ask you.." he paused. "Is if...maybe...would you...consider...moving in with me?" he asked, sounding all fumbled.

"You don't have to, but if you wanted to --- I mean, we could be closer together."

It was saddening he was not getting the knowledge he wanted. Mallory knew Chael was ambitious and would make this job/position worth while. He was always extremely good at everything he done. She was just glad he had a job and was doing something that he can work his way up in. Mallory was without a job for a couple months when she was newly out of school. Yet she did not finish her studies so that made it even harder for her to acquire a position in something other than sales. She was hoping to achieve something else with her life. She was doing modeling. No way was she going to let Chael know that. She already knew his reaction would be bad. Now she didn't think becoming an auror was a bad idea. He seemed not to be happy about it. Then when he spoke about secretary position.... really? He wanted her to sit around to look pretty. Mallory was not just pretty. She was adventurous and daring. Mallory wanted to speak up about it but she bit her lip and he said something else that completely different from the Gringotts idea.... moving in with him.

That is why he was so serious. Chael wanted Mallory to live with him? That was better than breaking up with her. "No I totally do not want to move in with you or be closer with you. That is such a silly idea." She giggled slightly, then stood up and reached over the table and grabbed his face with her slender hands. She laid a gentle kiss onto his lips. "Yes, I will move in with you." Mallory smiled at him. "I was only kidding by the way... about the not wanting to be closer to you... I love you, being without you for a year was empty."

That was true. Mallory made many new friends, many Chael probably would never approve of... but she made good friends. Mallory was more excited to get the chance to move in with him. They did have many different views and completely different personalities but hopefully they work through all the things. She defiantly was not going to get a job that she had to sit and look pretty in. Mallory wanted to do something that challenged her and made her use her ability.... and not in a pretty or model way. They would have to work through things but now she would get a chance to be with Chael all the time.