|
|
Post by Theodore Nott on Mar 28, 2013 22:09:46 GMT
Not once in the months that skated by did Theo leave his family's impressive manor. Everything he could ever need was always on hand, the House-Elf always kept the home fully stocked, though sadly, said elf couldn't bring Theodore what he really needed.
That isn't entirely true. The elf could, and has, brought forth people for Theo's entertainment, but as of late, there was no call for it. Theodore hadn't been up for doling out abuse. Such unusual behavior.
It seemed Theodore had found himself in a sort of a funk. Nothing outside of the estate appealed to him, and he found remaining home-bound to be quite fulfilling. He spent tons of time reading, kicking the House-Elf about, graveside chatting to his mum, and emptying the cellar of its best wines. It never occurred to him that spending time with another human was likely in his best interest. Probably because he could count on one hand the number of people he enjoyed spending time with. All he knew was there wasn't anyone about to nag him, question his ideas, or even cast doubt on his beliefs. It was heavenly.
It probably isn't surprising, but after a time, even pure bliss can grow dull, and this is how Theodore came to be standing outside of the Three Broomsticks. He didn't exactly wish to go inside, the cellar back home wasn't short on spirits, -even after such a long stint of being raided on a daily basis- but there was something missing in his life. He just couldn't put his finger on what precisely. Perhaps Fate had something for him up her sleeve, and that would explain why he was internally arguing about whether or not he should enter the pub.
Whatever it was, he didn't bother with troubling himself. Theodore simply no longer wished to look foolish holding the door knob while his mind filp-flopped, and finally opened the door to enter the old place.
|
|
|
|
Post by Astoria Greengrass on Mar 28, 2013 23:12:55 GMT
Shortly after Astoria made her diary entry earlier this afternoon, a thought began to torture her. One that she was not used to having, about a feeling she was not used to experiencing. She was...lonely.
Life as a lady of leisure did sometimes have its downsides. Like the occasional long and uneventful days and the more-occasional-than-she-would-like lonely nights. But Astoria had never been the kind to sulk, or "drown in her sorrows" as the phrase went. She was actually better at completely denying that anything was wrong or bothering her, and if need be, she would act as if everything was just fine. So much so that she would often convince herself that she was. But this time, this time was different. Perhaps seeing it written down in her diary made the difference. Or perhaps...
"No, this is not right. I should leave this room, this house! I should not be feeling this way. I need to just...to just...go somewhere and see new people. Let the night and chance decide what happens and who I run into. Yes, Astoria will do something unpredictable for once."
She double-checked herself in the mirror, grabbed her bag, her wand and her cloak then headed straight to the fireplace.
"Wow! I feel...free...somehow. That's strange because I always do what I want anyway. But oh well, it is what it is. And I like it."
Grabbing a handful of floo powder, she called out the first name that came to mind. Again leaving it up to chance.
"The Three Broomsticks!"
And there she was...stepping out of the hearth, covered in soot and wondering what was next.
She didn't right away see anyone she recognized so she figured ordering a drink should be the next step. She proceeded towards the bar, brushing ash off her cloak sleeve as she made her way through the crowded pub.
|
|
|
|
Post by Theodore Nott on Mar 29, 2013 23:04:23 GMT
"Never should have bothered...", Theo muttered to himself as he placed his first step into the Three Broomsticks
Before the door could swing closed behind him the assault on his ears began. Cackling came from the corner, friendly banter boomed ahead, all around was the buzzing drone of conversations, and invisible notes of music filled all the gaps between. This was going to be hell... Shame he'd already committed himself.
The din hurt his ears. It had been months since Theodore had occupied a room filled with more people than himself. (Definitely not counting any times his House-Elf might have been present to be ordered about.) Beyond his breathing, the occasional mumblings, and general sounds of an inhabited home, Theo hadn't heard a sound. So really, to him, the decibel level was high. Unfortunately this also meant he would likely suffer a terrible headache later. I wonder... I wonder if my favourite healer might be available., he thought offhandedly as he aimed himself in the direction of the bar.
It might have been a long time since Theodore had graced the public with his presence, but that didn't change a thing. His dark eyes scanned the crowd -ever vigilant!- as his mind mentally prepared for any number of scenarios that could find him. The teachings of his Death Eater father, while very few, were so ingrained Theodore couldn't help but slip into old habits. He looked nearly as dark as he was rumored to be wearing a sleek, black silk cloak with locks of hair to match veiling his jet eyes.
While nothing had changed since forever his self-imposed incarceration, Theodore encountered a sight he surely wasn't expecting to see on his first night back into society as she moved gracefully away from the fireplace. Astoria... It was easy to pick her fairness out of a crowd.
The drink he was headed to the bar for suddenly wasn't important. Theodore immediately fixed the witch in his sights and changed course in direction. Astoria Greengrass was one of his dearest friends, naturally he would want to say hello was what he told himself as a warmth stole through him. Yes, she was more than attractive, it was true he had "been there, done that", yet that didn't stop his body from reacting to her. His heart rate picked up a bit the closer he moved. Obviously, Theodore was pleased.
He gently caught her by the elbow, and leaned in so she could hear him purr a greeting. "I didn't know my eyes were so hungry until now."
|
|
|
|
Post by Astoria Greengrass on Mar 30, 2013 14:50:55 GMT
Astoria hadn't even reached the bar yet when she felt the warmth of a body get a bit too close to hers. The thought of some perverted old wizard trying to grab a hold of her crossed her mind in a flash, and in the same amount of time she had already reached for her wand and was ready to strike. That's when she heard his voice. That smooth, seductive and...so familiar voice.
"Theo?"
Her right hand, which had been tightly gripping her wand inside her cloak pocket, instantly relaxed. And the fact that she was elated to see him shone brightly in her eyes. Theo was always there for her, in one way or another, wasn't he?
"I didn't see...Where did you...You almost got yourself turned into a frog, you know!"
She smiled and embraced him tightly. She couldn't help but wonder now if luck chose this place for her because of him.
"I'm so glad to see you, Theo. But can I ask you something? Why are you here, in THIS place, tonight?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Theodore Nott on Mar 30, 2013 19:54:01 GMT
Theodore's eyebrows rose high on his forehead as an unwelcome vision of himself in toad form hopping around on the filthy floor invaded his mind.
"Lucky for me you didn't react any faster.I would have looked dreadful...and probably gotten squished with this place crowded as it is."
He welcomed her hug, chuckling with relief. Astoria could have done some serious damage. She wasn't any kind of witch to be crossed, nor was her sister. Daughters of fellow Pureblood supremacists, Slytherin alumna, each reasonably well versed in Transfigurations for their ages, and tempers so big and quick it was hard to believe such might could fit into those tiny frames. Yep, both were definitely a handful.
Her question made him pause. Theodore didn't remember exactly why he came here. He shook his head.
"Dunno. I just know that I had to get out. The house felt...empty."
Theo didn't realize it until he said it, he was tired of being alone.
|
|
|
|
Post by Astoria Greengrass on Mar 30, 2013 23:19:26 GMT
Astoria had to giggle at the prospect of a toad-like Theo getting squished.
"I agree, the mess alone would be dreadful!"
With a smirk on her face she reached up to him and brushed the hair out of his eyes, a gesture she had done so many times it had become almost natural for her, and right now she hadn't even realized that she'd done it. She was thinking about his answer and how strange it was that she was feeling the exact same way...that they both ended up in the same place. No, she was probably reading too much into it.
"Really? Same here! I couldn't stand it anymore. I told myself that I would go somewhere random and just see what the night had in store for me. And then..."
Her voice suddenly got softer and her eyes gleamed with the curiosity of the situation. She took a step backwards and smiled coyly.
"And then you showed up."
|
|
|
|
Post by Theodore Nott on Mar 31, 2013 0:52:51 GMT
Theodore grimaced. Squished toad-self was not on his "things to do" list. Thankfully, Astoria distracted him with a familiar motion when she swept the hair from his eyes.
He could count the number of women permitted to touch him in such a fashion on one hand, and the occurrence was rare. It was nice to feel...cared for?
"Here I am."
Nothing seemed amiss to him. Strange to see Asroria here of all place? You bet. But, he didn't see it more than happy circumstance. Theo smiled devilishly in return, holding out his arms to emphasise his presence.
"Now what to with me?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Astoria Greengrass on Mar 31, 2013 1:11:13 GMT
Astoria smirked. That was such a typical Theo reaction.
"Mmm...what to do with you. I can think of a few things..."
She bit her lip as her mind flashed beautifully naughty pictures in her head, but no, she was a lady first and foremost.
"How about we start with you buying me drink?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Theodore Nott on Mar 31, 2013 23:18:20 GMT
"As the lady wishes."
Theo motioned smoothly for Astoria to lead the way ahead. As always, he was ready for anything, and more than pleased that the night didn't seem like it would he anything more than relaxing. A drink with a close friend was just what the healer ordered.
"Are you hungry? I can't have you wasting away, or drinking on an empty stomach. Nothing good ever comes of that."
Half kidding, he lifted a questioning brow. Astoria was a wee little thing. There certainly wouldn't be any harm done if she had more than her fair share of desserts.
Hmm... Dessert... Cake... Candy... Ice cream!
"Florean's would hit the spot."
His words were wishful as visions of ice cream desserts swam in his head. A stop in Diagonal Alley was now on Theodore's agenda. He wouldn't be going home until he had ice cream in his stomach.
|
|
|
|
Post by Astoria Greengrass on Apr 1, 2013 3:54:47 GMT
Astoria looked at him questioningly. Did he really suggest going to Florean's for dessert over having a drink? Alright, this night was definitely taking a turn for the weirder. But hey, that was the whole point of this outing anyway, right? Her head fell to one side, her eyes still on his as she smiled.
"Florean's? Um...Sure! I'm up for pretty much anything tonight. But, are you quite alright though?"
She reached a hand out to him again and placed it gently on his forehead, checking his temperature.
"No, no fever."
She sniggered and took him by the hand, leading him back toward the fireplace.
"I guess you just want something sweet then. Shame I alone wasn't enough."
|
|
|
|
Post by Theodore Nott on Jun 2, 2013 23:14:52 GMT
Florean's might have been an unusual request, especially coming from Theodore, but did it have to mean he was ill? Everyone fancied ice cream...right?
Theo chuckled, shaking his head as Astoria's hand brushed his skin. Welp, all least he could still surprise his friends.
"If I recall, I've suffered many a toothache at your hands."
His fingers tightened around hers, and Theo stopped in his tracks. As much as he wanted ice cream, he'd much rather dessert come after a few drinks.
"I promised you a beverage. You're not going to make me go back on my word, are you?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Astoria Greengrass on Jun 4, 2013 19:53:00 GMT
Astoria raised an eyebrow quizzically. She'd never known Theo to be anything but sure and determined. This Theo wanted sweets one second and drinks the next. Strange night indeed!
"Why does your question suggest that it was somehow MY idea to go for ice cream? I'm not making you go back on anything. It is you who is being fickle, my dear." She smirked and proceeded in the direction of the bar again when a sudden thought stopped her. Slowly turning to him with a mildly suspicious look in her eye, she leaned in real close and whispered in his ear, their cheeks touching.
"Are you euphoric right now? Don't you hold out on me, Theo." She sniggered and lightly kissed the spot right below his ear. "It's only fair to share, don't you know?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Theodore Nott on Jun 12, 2013 19:41:15 GMT
"I haven't a clue as to what you're talking about." Theodore shook his head. He was NOT fickle. Of course, he was ignoring the earlier moment of hesitation he encountered just outside the pub door when he flip-flopped over the decision to enter or not. "I am simply committed to ensuring the lady's happiness. You mentioned a thirst, I am more than willing to oblige, the departure to Fortescue's needn't be immediate, or definite, for that matter." He grinned slowly. Again, there was that lack of certainty, though this time it was teasing.
Astoria was a witch Theo never had to worry about. Unlike the many patrons surrounding them, she was someone he trusted...to a certain degree, and so, he was caught off guard the moment she pounced on him. "Euphoric?" His brows rose with surprise before coming together in for a seconds contemplation.
Well... Now that he could feel the pleasurable warmth of Astoria was pressing on him, such a word seemed fitting. "I suppose that could be one way to put it." A fire lit in Theodore's jet eyes, one that his companion might recognise -as she was once a girlfriend he still cares for deeply-, and would do well to proceed cautiously.
Theodore could still feel Astoria's lips at his ear as he leaned closer, skimming his lips across that porcelain cheek, and finding her ear. "How about you? How would you describe your current emotions?"
|
|
