PRIVATE PREVIEW at Finnigan's of Diagon Alley

[safinnigan]

Date: Wednesday 30 May 2001
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.
Location: Finnigan’s of Diagon Alley
Characters Involved: Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Charlotte Aurelius Finnigan, Severus Snape, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Aurin Helm, Katie Bell, Oliver Wood, Pitch Malbum, and NPC’s at Q.U.A.C.K., NPC Solicitors Thompson and Blake of Thompson, Bingley & Blake

Comments

[subtle_simmer]

Severus arrived in a timely fashion - indeed, he was slightly early. He found when one is expecting to be among a large crowd, the best way to ensure all possible obscurity while watching everyone else, was to arrive early and secure the shadowy corner before anyone else had filled it

[gryffndean]

Dean had left the office a bit early this evening with the blessings of Elliott Blake and Philip Thompson, both of whom were attending the preview tonight. Dean had been excited and nervous all day- he was excited for Seamus, of course- opening the pub had been his dream since they were first years. The nerves came from finally seeing their venture brought to life- it seemed to Dean that it had been ages ago that Seamus had told him of the idea for the viewers. Now that the day to unveil them was actually here- well, it was overwhelming to say the least.

After stopping at home to change, Dean apparated to Finnigan’s of Diagon Alley to find Professor Snape entranced by the screen above the door.

"Fantastic, isn't it? You did an amazing job on the screens, Professor."

[beautesolitaire]

Charlotte, of course, was on hand to help Seamus as needed. She had even closed the bookshop down early so that Susan could come over if she so chose. She'd arrived an hour before the opening and had taken care to see the early arrivals to be taken care of. Somehow she had come to find herself more and more at home in the pub, even more then her own little bookshop. Perhaps it was because she was closer to Seamus that way, not that the bookshop was miles away. It was quite literally across the street so they could sneak back and forth for a few minutes whenever they had free time

[subtle_simmer]

Embarrassed to be caught so totally gobsmacked over a device which he, himself, had created, he concealed his start of surprise by turning briskly on his heel to face Mr Thomas. Seeing Miss Aurelius - no, Mrs Finnigan - nearby, he offered her a slight incline of his head before returning his attention to Thomas.

"I manufactured an inanimate object," the Potions Professor replied, unable to quite keep the awe from his voice. "Fiendishly difficult potions and some Rune-work, it is true, but there are at least half-a-dozen others in Britain who could have supplied the device."

Shaking his head, even as his eyes were unwillingly drawn back to the crisp, vivid, fast images shooting about the screen, he nodded his head toward the viewer in a gesture that was almost a bow of respect.

"All I provided was a tool. Someone has taken that tool and turnt it into art."

[safinnigan]

Seamus came out from ‘round the bar to greet the first of what he hoped would be many, many arrivals. He watched Professor Snape enter and become entranced by the screen of his own manufacture with unabashed delight. He approached the man with the first truly genuine smile he had probably offered him since age eleven. He threw one arm around Char, one arm around Dean as he greeted the small group gathered under the screen

[subtle_simmer]

Shaking his head again, Severus offered Finnigan a faint smile of his own - not much of an improvement in his usual appearance, but still more than his usual smirk.

"Mr Finnigan - you have completely astounded me, and this is no small thing. I still wonder at the practical applications. What use as the average witch or wizard for such a thing in their homes? But I no longer doubt your ability to make it something far more than I could imagine simply from what you described."

Turning back to the screen, he shrugged off the warning Seamus had just given to the others.

"I am far too Slytherin to wish to avoid approbation. I retract my earlier request - name the thing what you wish - though I suspect you would have more orders if it is not 'Snape's Screens or anything of the sort. I have been Professor to a large percentage of the demographics you likely wish to reach. The majority of them have been idiots of the worst sort, and treated accordingly in classes. With that in mind, they are unlikely to want anything with my name in

[about_abbott]

Hannah was a bundle of nerves as she returned to Finnigan's for the evening. Her look, though hid the butterflies in her stomach. In light of the occassion she wore a simple navy blue dress with a simple gold chain around around her neck. Any other colors simply would not do considering this was a Quidditch themed pub and Puddlemere was her favorite team

[safinnigan]

Seamus was delighted to hear the surly reticent Professor Snape actually change his mind and agree to acknowledge his own participation in this new venture, and to do it openly before Dean and Charlotte was enough that he could not doubt that he’d heard him correctly. He nodded his agreement and was about to respond when Hannah joined their circle and remarked on the Professor’s involvement.

He reached out to touch her arm in greeting, giving her a warm and welcoming smile. She was part of their team now, and would become a much more important part of assuring their success after tonight, of that he was certain.

“Aye, Hannah, lass. 'Tis the Professor here was the genius behind the viewers, luv.” He gave another side-long glance in the Professor’s direction, just to be certain he would not retract his last words and follow them up with a smack to his unruly student and disavow his partnership with their lot. It was only then that Seamus realized that the most unusual expression the Professor was wearing might actually be

[beautesolitaire]

She smiled and nodded in greeting to Professor Snape, "We are already somew'at acquainted." she explained to Seamus, though she wasn't sure how to act around Severus Snape. He didn't seem like a very open or friendly person. She did have some measure of self-preservation. Cool and professional, especially after the cool reception she had recieved during the holidays over a completely innocent present.

She stuck close to Seamus, Socrates grumbling at Snape. He still didn't like Snape. Charlotte shushed him, wondering what was getting into him lately. Granted she was pregnant, but between Socrates and Seamus, she was feeling a little closed in. "Merci, Monsieur Snape, for coming." she added at the end as explaination, giving him aa small smile.

[subtle_simmer]

Severus raised a brow in surprise as he was introduced to Miss Abbott, but then decided it was not his place to question how the business would be run. Moreover, his surprise at the end-result had left him feeling quite a bit more than usually cheerful, himself. There would be many people who he cared about who would benefit from the success of this venture.

"Miss Abbott," he greeted with a nod of his head. "Mr Finnigan shows his wisdom in removing me as far from anything related to 'customer service' as humanly possible. I have no patience for such nonsense, and would cheerfully drive away business if it risked intrusion on my privacy

[safinnigan]

Seamus was all smiles for the Professor and everyone else on this grand evening. He was quite delighted with the Professor’s responses, although he knew better than to give away any indication of that to the taciturn man. Snape’s inquiry as to his plans for production could not have been more satisfying to the younger man; it was as likely an agreement with his concept of their chances for success as he could expect to receive. He kept his rising spirits to himself, adopting the more appropriate serious tone and demeanor expected for business transactions - a countenance he was becoming more comfortable with after the serious and complex negotiations with Q.U.A.C.K

[gryffndean]

Dean stood back and listened as Seamus added to the compliment he had given Snape, and their usually-grim professor actually seemed pleased with the results. As well he should be! thought Dean. He was still somewhat amazed that they were actually working with Snape, but there was no doubt that the product was quite impressive.

Dean greeted Hannah with a wide smile- they'd both been so busy lately that he hadn't been able to spend as much time with her as he would have liked, aside from the few meetings they'd had with Seamus over the order forms and such. And even though this would technically be a "working" evening for them both, that was no reason not to enjoy it! As Seamus was introducing Charlotte and Snape, Dean sidled over to greet Hannah with a hug.

"This is exciting, isn't it? You look great, by the way."

[about_abbott]

Hannah was standing on the sidelines of the conversation. She felt highly privileged to have been included as part of the team. This night belonged to Seamus and Dean and she was more than happy to step back and let them bask in the glory of their accomplishment

[gryffndean]

Dean winked at Hannah when she complimented his outfit. "Well, we have to impress our business associates, don't we?"

Dean looked around the pub, taking in the last-minute things that had been added since he had brought the viewers over a few days ago. He drew a deep breath, again impressed at the amount of work Seamus and his family had put into making Finnigan's of Diagon Alley a reality.

"So, are we ready for this? I have a feeling the next few days are going to be a bit mad."

[about_abbott]

"Hence the reason I'm not sporting a jersey and foam finger," Hannah joked when Dean mentioned impressing their VIP guests for the evening. Not that she would ever actually wave a foam finger.

As Dean gazed around the room, Hannah followed suit. Each dramatic play that flashed across the viewer pulled her attention back to the viewers leaving her very little time to focus on the details around the room. She would have to take time to focus on the little things during non-broadcast hours.

His other question transformed her from curious patron to employee. "I don't think we have much of a choice." She then lifted up the portfolio in her hand and stated. "I should probably stake out a staging point that will allow me to get contact information and allow those interested to pick up and review paperwork."