RP: Ladies who lunch

[shh_irma]

Date: 23 January 2005
Characters: Irma Pince, Hermione Granger
Location: Socks
Status: Private
Summary: Irma is in need of nourishment, when she runs into a somewhat familiar face.
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_hermione]

"Yes, he's in Stoatshead Hill. I've actually been working with him on a new syllabus for History of Magic," she explained. "He's taken the library as on his personal project, though, in a similar way to Cedric Diggory, who is working on a new museum

[shh_irma]

"Men with cultural interests," Irma noted. "More well-rounded than those who just care about Quidditch and alcohol. A museum you say?" Now, her time in Stoatshead Hill was looking up. "You wouldn't happen to know if he's planning any interesting exhibits?"

She looked at Hermione's red cheeks and wondered what had prompted it. "I suppose I could," she said slowly. "It's just so much more practical to have it up. It doesn't get caught on things, or get tangled up this way."

Irma sighed. "I'll have to see about what to do about it, I suppose."

"Ah, it was just a suggestion," she smiled at Hermione's reaction. "Be careful when you drink. No good in you having survived the war, if you choke to death on water afterwards."

[shh_hermione]

"I tend to be drawn to making friends with those who have interests outside of Quidditch or drinking," she said. "As for the museum, he's been able to salvage exhibits from the former museum, but quite a bit was destroyed if it wasn't protected or in the vault. I believe Cedric is also working towards bringing in new exhibits, of course."

"There's a time and place for practical, Irma. When you're wishing to find the right sort of trouble, it might be best to think impractically, even if just briefly," she mused, smiling slightly before she took a drink of her water.

She nodded. "That would be rather embarrassing, I must admit. Death by choking so soon after winning the war would definitely not be pleasant," she said. "If such a time and, uh, person arrive, I'll definitely heed your suggestion."

[shh_irma]

"I know what you mean," Irma nodded. Well, sharing a mutual interest in detentions was more than alcohol and Quidditch. "It's a pity about all the destruction, of course, but what can one do but rebuild? I'll certainly be anticipating the opening of the museum. A museum, a bookshop, a printer and a library, this is beginning to turn into quite the cultural place. Are you planning on holding literary evenings at your bookshop? Reading by authors, perhaps?"

Irma smiled a wry smile. "I've often been told so. My sister Gertrude has always been… how shall I put it, the opposite of myself. She never fails to lecture on what she likes to call my prissy appearance." Hermione's words gave food for thought. Her hair had been loose when she'd met Lysander. Irma would have to consider this carefully. Of course, she'd also been eleven back then and not approaching 60.

She took another spoonful of soup and savoured it. "Let me know if it works for you?" Fixing her up with Andy would be embarrassing if the girl already was attached.

[shh_hermione]

"Actually, I'd considered readings," she said excitedly. "I thought perhaps poetry night for those who like such things, since it seems I know quite a few people with an interest in poetry. But I had also considered possibly a weekly reading for children, possibly, as well as one for adults, either by authors if possible or by someone with a good speaking voice. It could be quite entertaining and possibly encourage people to trade or buy books, too."

"Well, you should think of your comfort first and foremost. I'm the wrong person to give such advice, of course, as I don't dress up or wear makeup, but I think the key is comfort. If you're happy with your appearance, good and bad, then it gives you a subtle confidence that can be appealing, I think," she said thoughtfuly.

She snorted. "I highly doubt that I'll be trying it anytime soon, Irma. As I said, I'm busy with the press and the shop, not to mention friends and projects. I've little enough time for myself much less anything complicated like searching for trouble."

[shh_irma]

"Would the poetry readings be already published works, or a way to scope out some new talent for the press?" Irma asked. "Of course, unless you find someone with a good speaking voice, you're looking at what I believe Muggles call kamikaze, except without the music

[shh_hermione]

"I think it might be interesting if it was published works with an opportunity for new poets or authors to have a place to read their work, too," she said. "I also tossed around the idea of a weekly book club. A little more social, but perhaps people reading the same book and discussing it during weekly or bi-weekly meetings. I know that I always enjoy finding people who like to read and talk about books

[shh_irma]

"Yes," Irma sighed. "Talking about books... You can put me down for joining a book-club, if you start one. It's not the same to discuss books one has read, with one's own son via OWL post, now that the Floo isn't working, as it is to do so with other adults." Especially as their relationship had been a bit strained since Christmas.

"Kamikaze," Irma shuddered. "The horrible memories of it is still making me cringe years afterwards. I think it was a staff member at Hogwarts who thought it was a good idea to try out some Muggle notions or another. The details are a bit fuzzy."

She looked questioningly at Hermione. "Preference?"

[shh_hermione]

"Well, then, we'd have at least two members, so that's a good enough start for me to plan it more thoroughly," she said. "I'd like for Bookworm to be utilized as a bookshop but also for encouraging a love of books and learning. There's a spare room upstairs that I plan to turn into a setting for meetings or readings, in fact

[shh_irma]

"Please, do," Irma encouraged, and raised an eyebrow. Bookworm? "It sounds like a nice place, if you also have additional space for gatherings."

She looked amused at Hermione's stammering. "Thank you for the explanation," she said dryly. "I was, of course, aware that people might be interesting in their own sex. Certain literature going back, especially wizarding, although also Muggles might've written about it… focus on it."

Irma decided to take pity on the girl. "But personally, I've got a fondness for males. Or a preference, if you prefer."

[shh_hermione]

"Well, I assumed you would be, but I think the nature of enjoying both is only more recently become acceptable to discuss in polite company," she said. "And, even then, I assume there are many who wouldn't consider it acceptable at all. Silly, really, for people to care so much who another person loves or, in some cases, is having an intimate relationship with in a casual manner."

The salad was quite good, so she focused on eating for a time, pleased that she'd decided to stop for lunch other than what little she had in the kitchen to make herself. This was much better than tinned soup again.

[shh_irma]

"Unless one is into exhibtionism, or hurting someone without their consent, what one does in private is one's own affair, I think," she sniffed. There were certainly things she'd done that she not care to have moralized. "But then again, I've never really given a fig about what others might think of me. Being silly about relationships like that is not at all the sensible thing to do."

She wasn't going to consider the fact that some might consider her silly about her son's relationships - the woman was clearly all wrong for him.

Irma finished up her soup and made motions to gather her purse and coat. "I am so glad I decided to take this time off," she said. "Both the food and the company has been delicious."

[shh_hermione]

"Exactly," Hermione agreed. She smiled. "Neither have I. Cared about anyone's opinions about me, that is. People can whisper whatever they'd like or attempt to pass judgement without any real impact because we're being true to ourselves. That philosophy has helped me a great many times throughout the years, and I imagine it will continue to do in the future."

She finished her salad and nodded. "It was a most enjoyable afternoon, Irma. I always enjoy interesting conversation. We'll have to do it again sometime, and I'll certainly owl you next week about your collection. Have a good day."