Mandy,
I know I promised to give you this almost three years ago, but I finally got around to editing it. Enjoy.
Much love,
Lisa

Well, now she was really curious. She took the tape up the stairs into her bedroom and slipped it in before finding a comfortable spot on the bed. Soon images that she had been trying to forget for years were running across the screen. It wasn't one long tape, it looked like it was only clips that had been edited into one large one. The tape hadn't been playing for more than a few minutes when she couldn't take it anymore and she ejected it. As much as she wanted to, though, she couldn't bring herself to throw it away. She left it laying on the bed and she slipped back into her shoes. She was going to get good and drunk and forget that she had once been in love.

Cormac McLaggen sat at the bar at The Broom Shed nursing his second-or was it the third?-drink.  Days like he had just experienced at work had a way of wrapping his stomach in knots.  A meeting with Madame LeGrot had left him a bit anxious and a long day of pouring over files had rendered him grumpy. He had come looking either Katie, or as runner-up, a bottle of Firewhisky. Finding only the latter, he had dived right in. 

Mandy pushed the door open to reveal a bar she had never been to before. It was perfect, because if she had never been there, no one would know her, or ask stupid questions. She walked up to the bar, trying to hide her limp because people felt inclined to ask about that and it was something she really didn't want to talk about. "Give me whatever you have that's strongest," was all she said, pushing her hair behind her ears. She set her bag on the counter next to her and took a deep breath.

Taking a keen interest as a beautiful brunette walked up to the bar and sat on the stool next to him, he couldn't help but overhear what she ordered.  Looking at her and making eye contact, Cormac said, "I'd recommend the Firewhisky.  Good for whatever ails you and then some."  He smiled his most charming smile and offered his hand.  "Cormac McLaggen.  It's nice to meet you." Of course, I could be good for whatever ails you, as well.

She noted the smile, returned it with one of her own and took the hand. "Mandy Brocklehurst, it's a pleasure." She turned to Aiden at the bar. "The Firewhisky sounds good. I'll have that."

Aiden returned with a glass of Firewhisky and set it in front of her with a smile.

She looks familiar, Cormac thought.  "Hogwarts?" he asked.

"Excuse me?" she said.

"You went to Hogwarts, didn't you?  You look very familiar." And very, very nice...

She nodded.

"What house were you?  No-don't tell me. I'll guess. You weren't a Gryffindor, you're far too cordial for a Slytherin, you're obviously smart-you sat next to me," he said with a wink. "I'm going to guess Ravenclaw?"

She smiled and nodded, impressed. "You're right, but I'm guessing you aren't surprised by that. Now, it's my turn." She leaned back and surveyed him. He wasn't in Ravenclaw, she would have remembered. She wasn't even going to suggest Hufflepuff, since no respectable Hufflepuff would be in a bar at this time, or ever. Slytherin wasn't very likely, since he'd been the one to introduce himself, and he'd been nice about it.

"Gryffindor." It wasn't a question because she was sure she was right.

"Right in one," he said while trying to not be too obvious that he was checking her out.  "What brings you here tonight- may I call you Mandy?" 

"Feel free," she replied, sipping her Firewhiskey and enjoying the way it burned on the way down. "I've had an incredibly difficult day and I want to forget it." She was going to be candid, besides, it wasn't like it was a big secret. "Any way I can."

He was very good looking, and he wasn't wearing a ring, she had checked. There was no reason for her to not flirt back.

He moved closer to her and reached for her small, soft hand and held it in between his large ones. "Well, I'm no Obliviator, but I'm pretty good at helping people forget certain things, Mandy," he murmured in her ear. "Interested?"

She let him hold her hand, very passively and she smiled softly. "Very."

She wasn't sure how to word what she was going to say next. She hadn't ever done anything like this before. "Would you like to come back to my place? We can finish our drinks there." She really hoped that he would say yes, everything he had just said indicated that he would, but she was very unsure at that point.

He couldn't resist the deep chuckle that erupted from his throat.  "Would I like to?  Yes."  Cormac stood up, settled their tabs, winked at Aiden, and offered Mandy his arm. 

She took out her wand and Apparated them, and moments later were standing in Mandy's bedroom. 

Cormac noticed the fireplace, spelled a fire, and dropped his wand on the bedside table.  He took one look at Mandy and advanced, like a hungry animal stalking its prey.

--------------------------

Leaning over Mandy, Cormac  rested on his elbows as he kissed her eyelids.  "Thanks, love. I needed that."  He studied her face for a moment. "And I dare say you did, too." 

She was still breathing hard, but she smiled. "I did need that. Thank you." The next bit she was going to say might be difficult, not for her, of course. "Look, that was fantastic, but I'm really not looking for a relationship right now."

"Thank Merlin," Cormac said.  This just might be the perfect woman.  "Er, I mean, no, I'm not either."  He smiled.

The relief coursing through her was palpable and she laughed. "I'm so glad, I was afraid it was going to get awkward." She stretched and rolled back onto her back, pushing him away gently. "We should do that again sometime."

"I'll leave my address, then," he said, chuckling. 

"You can stay, if you like. I'll make breakfast," she said, grinning widely.

"Sure, why not," he said, pulling the blankets over the both of them and pulling her in close. "Wake me later, though if you want," he said with a sly grin.

She didn't wake him until about six-thirty a.m, when she woke up. She was draped over what felt like a furnace and she lifted her head, glancing around and down blearily. At first she didn't recognize the male head on her pillow and then it all came rushing back. She stretched and slipped out of bed, pulling on the robe that had slipped onto the floor sometime during the night and cinching the belt around her waist. When she turned back around, she noted his eyes on her. "Morning. Want some coffee?"

Cormac stretched, his arms raised over his head.  "Good morning."  He smiled sleepily. "I'd love some, thanks."


{Summary: Cormac and Mandy make each other's acquaintance.}