Steaming coffee and tea.
It was an evening worth savoring.
Old friends of many years needed no words.
They simply sat across from each other, drinking different beverages.
Robert closed the Lockhart book in his hands. "The Wizarding World can be alluring, but it hides cruelty and tears, too."
"That's true of every world." John took a sip of coffee and raised an eyebrow. "You've retired?"
"I'm not exactly young, John." Robert flashed a bright, toothy smile. "I don't know what the retirement age is in the Wizarding Kingdom, but here, it's time for me to retire."
"Are you going to persuade me to go back?"
At Robert's question, John shook his head. "I'm getting ready to retire, too."
Robert was surprised, but he said nothing about John still being young. Instead, he asked, "Where are you planning to go?"
"Maybe I'll feed pigeons in the square." John smiled. "Or head out to sea and fish."
Friendship was a wonderful thing.
The two discussed their retirement plans.
Robert talked about his age, while John talked about their future reunions.
Robert was an exceptionally wise man.
He was like a sage, helping you persevere or decide what to let go when you were ready to give something up.
An easygoing man, he had both a ruthless streak and a compassionate heart that could not bear to see others suffer.
He rubbed his hands together, his expression turning serious. "Are you really leaving?"
"It's just a change of personnel." John shrugged. "The world will keep turning."
"You're my friend, John," Robert said. "Come find me whenever you need to."
Between friends, it was that simple.
John watched Robert leave.
Perhaps theirs was not quite the friendship of gentlemen.
But it came close.
He lifted his cup and took a sip of the