It's probably not much of a consolation but I'm here now, so you've got another distraction.

[ Shinpachi tugs Sano a bit closer, his muscles absolutely no smaller than they had been the last time they'd been in the same room together. Being so close to Sano again reminded him of some of the best parts of their youth. Quidditch, drinking, and some entirely unwholesome fun. And he still smelled the same except with a hint of fire whiskey on his breath, he noted with a little guilt.

That feeling was drowned out by his smile turning a little dim. Ah, now it was his confession time. ]

I've been in the country a couple months working for the Ministry of Magic.

[ To this, he finally pulls away and reaches up to rub the back of his head. He knows he probably should have told Sano. Maybe visited before the school year started (which makes him feel more guilty now because of his best friend's relationship troubles and how he wasn't there to help) or popped by Hogsmeade afterward. ]

The normal guy declined this year and since I already taught a couple years in Mahoutokoro, I got the job.