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(Caleb) Saturday Night Dinner
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 10-08-12 10:20
Caleb still couldn't understand how the Muggle object called microwave worked. He had never seen one before until he went to his father's house for the summer. His father explained that he had realized how much time and work he saved by adopting some parts of the Muggle lifestyle when it came to their eating habits. The trick consisted in putting a package inside the microwave, wait for five minutes and the food would be ready.
Tobias explained to Caleb that he had called a Muggle to his house to install electricity to make the microwave work. The Muggle noticed Mr. Quigley only used candles as a source of illumination and so he had installed bulbs in each division, even giving him some advises on how a good lamp would give a nice touch in the house's decoration. But Caleb's father still preferred the candlelight and the electricity was only used for the microwave. Unfortunately he ended up discovering that that electricity didn't work most of the times in his house. However this past week they have been lucky and the microwave was able to function.
A beep sounded, indicating the dish was ready. Caleb pulled it out and he placed it in a plate. His father would eat directly from the plastic container, but he preferred to make it look like he was having a real meal. Caleb didn't mind to wash the dishes himself at the end, even without a wand. Sometimes he used to help Peony at home with the home chores, when he had nothing to do.
"So what do we have for dinner today?" his father asked walking into the kitchen the moment Caleb was putting his own dish into the microwave.
"It's some sort of noodles. I think they have chicken on it," Caleb said, using his fork to mix the substance. He had liked this type of food at first. But now after a week consuming it, he missed Peony's homemade dishes.
"Chicken is good," Tobias replied with an absent voice. Caleb knew he was thinking about his book. Recently he was working on the idea of publishing it in the Muggle world. He thought maybe the problem with his last books was that witches and wizards were not interested in entering in contact with ghosts anymore. But Muggles might find his book useful. They would learn how to talk to them and create bounds.
Caleb had heard his father's publisher telling him the Muggles would see this book as rubbish and not believe at all in ghosts. But Tobias was stubborn and he had already told his Muggle neighbor, an elderly woman who lived alone with her cat, that with his next book she would be able to contact her dead husband who liked to haunt the vegetable garden she had on her backyard. The woman had entered her house as fast as her old legs permitted probably thinking Caleb's father was a lunatic.
"A letter from Thailand arrived today," Caleb told his father. "Mom wrote that Nigel got some extra tickets for the Quidditch World Cup final and he is going to offer it to us!" he said with a smile. Like most people Caleb loved Quidditch and he was hoping Britain to make it to the final. Even if it didn't he would be glad to be part of the great event that was the World Cup.
But his father didn't seem to share the same enthusiasm as his son, instead he finished chewing his noodles and he asked:
"Did your mother mentioned when she will come back?"
"No. But I guess it will be just by the end of the summer."
"I need to write her," Tobias announced. He finished his butter beer and place the glass down. "Before sending an owl back to her, tell me, so we can send our letters together. Now I need to get back to work. Could you clean up the table? Thank you."
And Caleb heard his steps as he climbed up the stairs into his study. The boy turned on the radio and while WWN was playing he did the dishes. He knew his father was going to ask her mother to come and fetch him. It didn't really bother Caleb, because that's how his father was since he remembered: he never would only stay with a Caleb a few days at a time. One day he heard his stepfather telling his mother that Tobias would only get himself together once he was able to publish another good book. Until then he would keep obsessing with his work, without rest.
Caleb dried his hands in the kitchen cloth and then he filled Boo's bowl with food, before his cat would show up and protest.
Let's Go to the Mall!
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 10-08-12 11:33
Bronwyn took the Hammersmith & City underground line to Shepherd's Bush Market, from where she walked the short distance to the Westfield Shopping Centre, a large mall in east London. She'd opted to take Muggle transportation rather than apparate, since she wasn't sure where she could safely apparate to without being detected by Muggle eyes. The shopping mall was a very busy one in an equally busy part of the city.
Just inside the main entrance, Bronwyn found a bench and sat down to wait on Desi. Normally, Bronwyn didn't trust Desi to show up for a shopping trip unless Bronwyn personally escorted her to the store. Desi only volunteered to go shopping with Bronwyn if she felt like cheering her up or treating her to something special. But voluntarily shopping for a bathing suit wasn't something Desi ever did.
The only reason Bronwyn trusted Desi to show up this time was because Desi had said she wanted to surprise Bronwyn with something. Just thinking about the possibilities made Bronwyn feel giddy. She had no doubt the surprise had something to do with one of Desi's men––Driver, Xavier or the mysterious Orion Bronwyn had yet to meet. As she pondered Desi's love quadrangle, she didn't notice her friend approaching.
"You're not falling asleep, are you?" Desi asked, pulling Bronwyn back to the present.
"What? Oh. No, not yet," Bronwyn said, getting up from the bench. She had to get up ridiculously early for work and tended to go to bed early as a result. "There are two Starbucks and a Costa in this place, so I won't have trouble finding caffeine if I need a fix."
It was then that she realized Desi hadn't come alone. Ember Morgan, the youngest of the Morgan siblings, stood beside and slightly behind Desi. Bronwyn, of course, had gotten to know Ember since first meeting her, but they'd never really hung out before outside of Arley's family get-togethers.
Bronwyn knew about what had happened to Ember too and noted that she seemed to be coping well under the circumstances. Maybe getting out of the house helped the recovery process.
"I brought Ember along to go shopping with us," Desi supplied, looking incredibly self-satisfied for some reason. "That's okay, right?"
"Of course it's okay," Bronwyn replied. She smiled at Ember. "Hi, Ember. Nice to see you again."
Ember smiled back. "Thanks for letting me tag along. I like to shop."
"Really?" Bronwyn asked, sensing a kindred spirit in Ember. "So do I!"
She looped an arm through Ember's and started walking down the corridor with Desi smiling and trailing behind them.
Saintly Business
Author: Peregrinus Hartcrofte
Date: 10-08-12 11:50
It was a lovely summer morning, and Peregrinus Hartcrofte decided to enjoy it by walking in to work rather than Apparating as was his usual. It was late enough in the morning that the morning rush had ebbed to a trickle, and Pip enjoyed the opportunity to stretch his legs and stroll at a brisk pace.
Pip slowed as he came within earshot of two witches, gossiping as they enjoyed their last bit of peace before their children returned from Hogwarts.
"Simply dreadful. I can't imagine what it must be like at St. Emrys right now."
"I hear they still haven't caught whoever's behind it! And I hear there's a body!"
"Dreadful, simply dreadful."
"It's no wonder they're so busy at St. Mungo's these days."
Attacks? A body? And a sudden deluge at St. Mungo's? Pip resolved to check the Fishbowl to see if any requests had come in to assist with these matters. The matters at St. Emrys would be in the hands of the Ministry, and the Blackguard could not get involved without an official request. St. Mungo's was another matter; they would be glad of volunteers even without submitting a request – if any of the members could afford the pro bono work.
Pip turned a corner to proceed on to work, leaving the two witches to their morning gossip. Before his thoughts had left the mystery of St. Emrys, he had reached his destination.
As most members of the Blackguard chose to either Apparate or Floo in, Winnifred seemed rather shocked when the bell above the pedestrian entrance resolved itself as Pip's entrance.
"Oh! Good morning, Mr. Hartcrofte!"
"Allo, Winnie. Anyone else here?"
"Just the two of us, Mr. Hartcrofte. Though I suspect Rondy's about somewhere. Mr. Charlemagne and Mr. Lear are on assignment, as are Miss Glover and Miss Valdemar. Miss de Notre Dame is still on holiday visiting her family in France. Mr. Wellington has not checked in yet this morning."
"Ah, well, you know Horatio. Poor chap has a rough go in the mornings. I'm more concerned about what might have come in to the Fishbowl recently. I heard some rumors on the way here of some nasty business up at St. Emrys, as well as a rash of activity over at St. Mungo's. Any official requests on either of those?"
Winnifred Weatherby may be a squib, but where he was not blessed with magical talent, she was compensated with a fantastic eidetic memory. "Nothing from St. Mungo's, but that's hardly a surprise. I'm sure their budget must be stretched thin hiring qualified help. Nothing directly from St. Emrys, but I have a Floo interview soon with a Ministry official, perhaps that has something to do with it? Oh, and we've received a post from the Ministry just this morning, if you'd care to read it."
Pip took the envelope and read the return address. Kirley Mockridge. "Mockridge? Oh, yes, of course, he works for Kingsley. Went to Hogwarts with him. Has a twin sister, as I recall. And an older brother, was a year ahead of me. Well … had. Bit of nasty business, there. Damn shame. Well, let's see what Mr. Mockridge wants."
Inside the envelope, Pip found an elegant invitation, white with dark periwinkle ink, edged in silver, for a fundraising gala at Mockridge Manor. A separate note was also included.
I could use a hand, monitoring my mother's friends at an event she's throwing. Do you think your team is up to some undercover antics at a fundraiser? If you want the task, owl me back and I'll have my sister set up a meeting, she can brief you.
"Doesn't seem to have anything to do with the trouble at St. Emrys, but our presence has been requested at a fundraiser. Surveillance job. Please send an owl to Kirley Mockridge at the Ministry straight away. I'll meet with his sister to discuss the job; I never did get a chance to offer my condolences for their brother."
"Yes, Mr. Hartcrofte. I should have time to get that taken care of before my interview. I'll let you know if it has anything to do with St. Emrys."
"Ta. In the meantime, I'm going to head over to St. Mungo's, to see if I can help with anything. I'll check in later."
*CRACK!*
(Cornelia & Aleydis) Green and Silver
Author: Griet
Date: 10-08-12 14:00
The Great Hall was decorated in green and silver, just as Cornelia had hoped it would be at the End of Term Feast. Not only had Slytherin won the Quidditch Cup, but they had won the House Cup as well. It was a fitting end to her career at Hogwarts.
She sat at the Slytherin table with her housemates, many of whom felt completely vindicated in thinking they were better than everybody else. Winning both coveted cups proved what they had always known. There was no better house than Slytherin House.
Cornelia glanced over at the Hufflepuff table, and saw her sister Aleydis looking not at all unhappy about the lack of yellow and black decorating the Great Hall. She sat with her friends and helped herself to the appetizers available on the table.
Aleydis wasn't unhappy about the turn of events. After the Championship Match, she'd felt pretty strongly that Slytherin would also win the House Cup, unless something major would change between then and this evening. Like most everybody else, Aleydis certainly preferred winning, but she wasn't a sore loser.
This was a Hogwarts feast, which was always one of the most exciting nights the school had to offer. Tonight was also the last night Aleydis would sleep in her dormitory room until September 1st. She was going home tomorrow.
She looked over at the Slytherin table, but not to see what her sister was up to. Aleydis didn't have to look at Cornelia to know. Cornelia was only happy when she was winning, and tonight she had won the ultimate prize.
Instead, Aleydis looked to see what Basil was doing. Like everybody else at the Slytherin table, he seemed beyond happy. He smiled a lot, which was a very good look on him in Aleydis' opinion. As if sensing he were being watched, he looked in her direction. She smiled at him, and to her surprise, he smiled back.
Cornelia noted the exchange and while she still didn't understand Basil, she was in too good a mood to let it be of any concern to her.
Why So Serious?
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 10-08-12 14:55
Ethan sat pensively at the staff table and twisted his goblet in small circles on the table top. He had survived another school year at Hogwarts, whereas a student and Mrs. Norris had not. Filch, who normally kept vigilant watch from the perimeters of the Great Hall, was nowhere to be seen. Ethan supposed the old caretaker couldn't be blamed for his absence. His cat had been his closest companion, and Filch no doubt felt lost without her at his side.
Why Ethan felt so serious on what should have been a happy occasion, he did not know. He had woken up feeling refreshed and content, but a cloud had settled over his head sometime in the early afternoon. This year, a student and a pet had died at Hogwarts. Last year, Rosamond had died at Hogwarts. Both incidents had been isolated, but they should never have happened at all.
Ethan knew bad things happened. Bad things were a part of life. But sometimes it felt like the bad things happened over and over again with no resolution in sight. Murder and mysterious disappearances shouldn't happen at Hogwarts. Hogwarts was supposed to be safe.
It was not lost on him that once upon a time, he had been the sort of person who should never have been allowed inside the castle walls. Thank Merlin he never harmed a child during that time, much less another staff member.
Snap out of it! he told himself. He was at the End of Term Feast, not sulking alone in his bedroom.
He blinked a slow blink, as if it would bring him back to his good senses. Somehow, the conversations in the Great Hall seemed louder now, the young voices more boisterous and the laughter more unrestrained. He scanned the room, taking in the green and silver banners and the smiling faces of all the students, even those not in Slytherin House.
Then he looked at the other staff members seated with him at the High Table. Dumbledore sat next to McGonagall, with whom he spoke about something apparently light-hearted judging by the smiles on their faces. Snape sat next to Celeste and looked particularly smug over the fact that Slytherin had won the House Cup. Illyria and Marzi sat next to each other and laughed about something.
Adriana, seated next to Ethan, looked just as pensive as he had been. Unconciously, at least to Ethan's eyes, she clutched her knife in her hand so hard that her knuckles were white. Ethan stared at her for a full minute before Professor McGonagall drew his attention away when she clinked her fork to her glass.
The Great Hall fell silent, and Dumbledore stood up to deliver his End of Term Feast.
Still Can't Win
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 10-08-12 15:15
"Look, you have nothing to worry about. Bronwyn is one of the nicest people I know. You'll see," I reassured Ember for what had to be the hundredth time. Ember had been nervous about hanging out with Bronwyn since I invited her to shop with the two of us. Ember and Bronwyn not spent time around one another outside of Arley's family gatherings.
"I'm just a little nervous," She said as we walked into the mall. God, how I hate malls…
"Look, she's a lot like Karma, it's scary. You two get along, so you'll get along just fine with Bronwyn." Ember seemed to take some comfort in the comparison. Thankfully, fortune seemed to be on my side, and I spotted Bronwyn before the circular conversation started up again.
"You're not falling asleep, are you?" I asked Bronwyn, who until now seemed to be in her own world.
"What? Oh. No, not yet," Bronwyn responded while getting up. "There are two Starbucks and a Costa in this place, so I won't have trouble finding caffeine if I need a fix." I had never known Bronwyn to get tired while in a mall. Wouldn't be until we left that she would start to get tired, if she would at all.
"I brought Ember along to go shopping with us. That's ok, right?" I knew Bronwyn was a little surprised to see Ember.
"Of course it's ok," Bronwyn told me before smiling at Ember, "Hi, Ember. Nice to see you again."
"Thanks for letting me tag along," Ember said with a smile, "I like to shop." I wasn't sure if the last part was to get on Bronwyn's good side or because she really did. Either way, it may be enough for me enough… Before I knew it, Bronwyn and Ember were arm in arm chatting away as they walked down the corridor.
The three of us wandered from store to store, Bronwyn and Ember leading the store hopping. I hung back, trying to stay away from them. Only now and again would Bronwyn pull me into something, mostly it was so I could pay for whatever cute little thing she wanted.
Bronwyn had decided, that with the three of us here, we should, of course, shop for more than just the beach in France. Led by Bronwyn and her encyclopedic knowledge of fashion, three of us stopped by any store with makeup, perfumes, purses, and of course, clothes.
Bronwyn was taking it easy today; most of what we bought was for Ember, who was willing to carry it, so I wasn't the acting pack mule like normal. I had managed to find a couple small things for myself, so it wasn't a total loss. It also seemed to be keeping Bronwyn at bay. She wasn't hounding me about not getting anything, or how adorably cute something was. Ember was working perfectly as a distraction.
After making the usual stops, and a few extra, we finally ended up in a department store, with the swimwear. While Bronwyn and Ember were picking things out to try on, I only somewhat looked around. Just enough so when Bronwyn looked up to find me, she'd think I was looking for things to try on.
Finally, Bronwyn and Ember had a few things to try on. They made their way to the changing rooms, and I watched as Ember made her way to one.
"So," Bronwyn asked looking directly at me, "Where's yours?"
"Ummm…" Damn!
A Partner?
Author: Orion Howell
Date: 10-08-12 18:15
Orion looked at the letter that had arrived with the rest of the post that morning. He was due for a shift at St. Emrys soon. Hunting for a murderer did not stop just because classes weren't in session. And even many of the actual staff had more than enough to keep them occupied on the grounds even without the students. Preparations had begun for Emrys Fest, at the end of the month, and there was always the work of planning lessons and syllabi, researching text books, planning new material to cover in the course.
For his part, he had glanced over a few of the new books he was supposed to have an opinion on, as a TA, but the Professor really didn't care for his take as they both knew that it wasn't really his field. However, it was surprisingly easy to teach from another person's notes and to grade papers with a list of topics they should be touching on or an answer key. So instead, he spent his time listening for anything strange on campus and studying the reports sent from the Ministry.
Which meant he really wasn't surprised when the letter had come, but he still couldn't seem to stop reading it. He knew he'd messed up, not getting the answers they wanted in France, but he was certain no one else could've gotten better intelligence either. But that didn't always matter to the boss types.
"Mr. Howell," the letter began. "In light of recent events, we have seen it fit to override your standing objections and assign you a partner. I know it is out of the ordinary course of events, however after discussion with our counterparts in the Auror Office, your recent companion will be assigned as your partner for the duration of the St. Emrys investigation. When the time comes for your reassignment, both of you will be evaluated, as well as your partnership, before we decide how you will be assigned in the future. This is not up for debate." After he'd read it for the fifth time, the various spells the office had placed on the parchment kicked in, disintegrating it into a tiny pile of ash. It was a way to protect sensitive data, to spell the parchment to self-destruct after the recipient had read it a certain number of times. It wasn't the only spell on the parchment, of course. It was naturally warded against any sort of theft or appropriation by anyone other than the recipient, bursting into flame if someone else tried to read it or take it.
Sweeping the ash into the bin, Orion shook his head. "Hell, I wonder if I'm going to have an Auror kicking my arse after all," he muttered. Tilting his head, he ran his hand through his hair and kicked back in his chair, booted feet going to the top of his desk as he thumbed through one of the texts. "Wonder if she tried to jinx the owl?"
Just Before The Speech (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 10-08-12 19:20
Before Professor Dumbledore rose to give his end of term speech and officially announce Slytherin as the House Cup winner, Caerwyn sat snacking on vegetables and dip already available on the table and talking with a few others about the four Quidditch World Cup matches played earlier in the day, one of them being Great Britain up against Germany. Today's set of matches winnowed the remaining teams in the tournament from eight to four. One more Saturday of play, on the 8th, and the Wizarding World will know which two teams will vye for the trophy on July 22nd. Caerwyn's dad has already secured tickets so no matter who's playing, he and best friend Gus Hodfuffer will be there.
Before that, there's Quidditch Con and after is Emrys Fest. There's also a holiday the Valentines are going on, though Caerwyn doesn't know the specifics yet. He also doesn't know if Dad is planning on taking Xavier and Jasmine or leaving them behind and it just being Grace, Dad, and Caerwyn. Maybe Briar too. Caerwyn doesn't have a preference whether the twins are along or not. So far he's enjoyed being around them when time away from Hogwarts has allowed but they are also very young.
For Emrys Fest, Gus and he have talked about maybe taking dates. Caerwyn likes the idea but his problem is he's not sure who he'd ask. There's Hydrangea Marchbanks, but as she's Gus's cousin he's not sure how well that would go over with Gus. In the same house as Hydrangea is Sonya Silver. In his own house is Glori Hodfuffer but as she's also Gus's cousin, Caerwyn is again hestitant when it comes to her. Ravenclaw Ramona Mickle is really nice and very smart. Glancing around the Great Hall, he takes in all the faces of the many other third and fourth year girls. Johanna Steele is cute but she's only ever seemed interested in one person, or so the rumors go. Kate Dewhurst is taken. Maybe Liannah MacDougal? Or Anita Tuck?
Dipping a carrot into one of the dips, Caerwyn crunches down on it no closer to narrowing down who he might ask to Emrys Fest if Gus and he do go with dates. There's also not stopping on Gus's toes by inadvertently asking the very girl Gus is considering. Eyes go to his friend then to Professor Dumbledore standing to deliver the speech. As soon as the speech is done and the serious eating commences, Caerwyn will see if he can get Gus to pinpoint who he'd like to ask to Emrys Fest so that he can eliminate at least one name from the list of the many cute and seemingly nice girls to consider.
At The Gryffindor Table (Wiggy & Hydrangea)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 10-09-12 14:45
This morning Wiggersmythe had played chaser in Britain's match against Germany, scoring two of the team's four goals. There'd been a celebration afterwards, the ending score having been 40 Germany, 190 Britain. It had been a tough, close match right up to Eunice Murray scrabbling with the German seeker for the snitch. The victory party had still been going on when Wiggy tore himself away to return to Hogwarts. He had not been required to go back what with the term over and student going home in the morning. Wiggy had returned because of the End of Term Feast. With this being the last one for some of his friends, he'd not wanted to miss their sendoff.
Sitting now at the Gryffindor table, Slytherin's win of both the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup not seeming quite as bad after playing in a match this morning that moved the British National team one step closer to the World Cup. Wiggy knows he will probably crash hard tonight after the stressful week of final exams, the physical exertion of daily Quidditch practice, and the pressure and adrenaline of this morning's match. For the time being, he's still alert and energetic, listening to Professor Dumbledore's speech and looking forward to being able to dig into all the food that always accompanies these feasts.
At the same table, just past the halfway point going towards the end away from the head table, Hydrangea is also looking forward to being able to actually feast. She didn't eat much at breakfast, anxious to listen to the Britain versus Germany match to cheer on her cousin and at lunchtime she'd only had a small salad, anticipating overeating at dinner. As the headmaster's speech draws to an end Eilonwy Barrett nudges Hydrangea, her eyes on a certain professional Quidditch player further down the table. "Wiggy's still single, right?"
"As far as I know. Why?"
A finger twirling a curl around and around, Eilonwy wistfully asks, "Do you think he'd think I'm too young for him?"
"I don't know but probably."
"Ask him for me?"
Eyebrows raised, Hydrangea repeats back, "Ask him for you?"
"Please? Ask Wiggy if he could like someone in our year."
"I don't know, Eilonwy. I'm not sure I'd feel right asking him that."
Eilonwy frowns. "You couldn't find a way to just ask if he could like someone going into fourth year?"
"It's just not something easy to slip into conversation."
Pouting a little her friend says, "Yeah, I guess, but if you can find a way, please do. Why does he go by Wiggy? Why not Smythe? Or Hod? Or even his middle name?" Eilonwy digs in a pocket to pull out a Wiggersmythe Hodfuffer Quidditch card. "Nettles. Nettles? That's really his middle name?"
"It's Aunt Trina's maiden name."
"Oh. A family name. Makes more sense knowing that. Still, Nettles or Net would seem a better nickname than Wiggy."
"I'm not exactly sure who started it or why. Wiggy's always been Wiggy to me."
Eilonwy looks down at the Quidditch card again then sighs, repocketing the card. "If Wiggy wouldn't be interested in someone from our year, what about your cousin Augustus?"
Wanting to sigh herself, Hydrangea reaches for a platter of chicken as she replies, "Probably," steeling herself for what will surely be Eilonwy requesting Hydrangea to find out if Gus might like her.
Don't Have A Crush (Basil)
Author: Jared
Date: 10-09-12 18:46
Debating between the roast beef and the battered fish, which is probably either cod or haddock, Basil catches a glimpse of Aleydis laughing at something one of those sitting around her has said. The sight, in turn, has him smiling as he decides to have some of both the roast beef and the fried fish. On his left, Ivan Grimsby sees the smile as he reaches for the creamed spinach. "She looks happy so that makes you smile, but you are totally over her."
Between his own thoughts and the other noise around them, Basil wasn't fully paying attention. What he did hear seems to be on a time delay in processing, prompting him to ask, "What?"
Using his fork, onto which a carrot has been impaled, as a pointer Ivan indicates one of the blondes at the Hufflepuff table. "For someone you claim you no longer fancy, it's interesting how just seeing her happy makes you smile."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Sure you don't. For what it's worth, Cornelia is the hot Vanderbilt. Or Griet. I can never decide. Right now, since Cornelia is here but Griet isn't, I have to go with Cornelia."
"You've lost me. What does smiling have to do with who you think is the best looking of the Vanderbilt sisters?"
Ivan gives Basil a pitying look. "You. Crush. Aleydis. She was laughing. You suddenly smiled. Getting it now?"
"I don't have a crush on Aleydis."
"So you say, which is why it's all the more interesting that just the sight of her laughing puts a smile on your face. Pass that platter of bangers, thanks."
Reaching for the sausages, Basil gives a shake of his head. "What makes you think something Aleydis did made me smile? Did you ever think that maybe I'm happy about feasting tonight and going home tomorrow?"
"I'm sure you are but it's the timing of that smile."
Basil shrugs. "I don't know what to tell you then other than I do not have a crush on Aleydis Vanderbilt." He speaks the truth. Basil doesn't have a crush on Aleydis. He's totally in love with her, which isn't exactly the same as a crush, but he's not about to admit this to Ivan.
"Whatever, mate," Ivan says, clearly not believing Basil. Using his fork again he points to Alexa Wenlock. "Now me, I'd go for her. Or, let's see," Ivan shifts his attention to eyeball up and down the Slytherin table before looking to the other house tables. "Cornelia like I said. Ferne Scrivener, smoking hot. Olive Green, extremely snoggable. Jenny Gabble, fills out her school robes quite nicely. Your cousin Etta "
Basil cuts him off. "Don't add Etta to your dream world stable."
"You've never acted as if you can stand her much so why do you care?"
"Because she's still my cousin."
Ivan rolls his eyes at the absurdity of that but acquiesces. "Fine, no snogging or shagging the still entirely hot Etta. Where was I? Gryffindors. Maybe Arista Lampwick. Isabella Hastings. Cat Amherst if she weren't taken."
"Just admit that excluding Etta, you'd put all the current fifth, sixth, and seventh year girls on your list and any of the fourth year ones who should be fifth years."
"I am not ashamed of this fact so, yes, I would have them all on it including Etta if you weren't against it. A few of the female professors too for that matter, even some of the married ones."
"This is why you can't even get one of them for more than five minutes, you know."
"I can't help that I'm a player."
"But you don't let the girl know that until AFTER you score."
"You know, you may have a valid and good point there. Pass me one of those jacket potatoes, thanks."
Basil has to work hard not to glance again at the Hufflepuff table as he reaches for the baked potatoes to give to Ivan.