RP and Owls: The Lucky Man (Early Morning)

[shh_dean]

Date: March 12, 2005
Characters: Dean Thomas
Location: Hammerside Flat
Status: Private
Summary: Dean drinks tea and gets to work
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_eleanor]

Eleanor had been in a sad mood since she had gotten Ernie's owl the day before. When she heard an owl tapping at the window while she was getting ready for class her stomach gave an excited leap, and she nearly tripped over a chair in her haste to get the window open. Her hands were shaking slightly as she unrolled the parchment, and she couldn't help the small sound of disapointment that escaped her as she saw the letter wasn't from Ernie at all.

It was good news however. She had started to think that it was high past time she contacted Mr. Thomas again. The wall really wasn't fixing itself. Nor was the roof, actually. She took the parchment over to her desk, and pulled out a clean sheet of paper to pen a reply.

Dear Mr. Thomas

[shh_dean]

Dean was busy working on a blueprint when an owl scratched at his window. After he stood up, he walked over and opened the pane to let the owl inside. When he untied the note from the owl's leg, he smiled. It was from Eleanor Bramstone and she still wanted to meet with him about repairing the wall of her home. He had been most worried about her project since it involved her living space and he wanted the chance to help her.

After giving the owl a treat and watching it fly off, he closed the window. He thought about the best day to meet her and after making a decision, he sat down and penned a note.

Dear Ms. Branstone,

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to look at your home. If it would be okay with you, I'd like to meet on Sunday in the early afternoon. You can show me whatever issues you have and we can make a decision on the best course of action. Then we can get it repaired as soon as possible. Thank you once more for this chance and I look forward to meeting with you.

Sincerely,

Dean Thomas

[shh_eleanor]

Dear Mr. Thomas,

Sunday will be brilliant. It's the house on the corner of River Road and D. I'll see you then.

Sincerely,
Eleanor Branstone

[shh_roger]

Roger looked up at the tapping against the window; an unfamiliar owl was hovering in front of his back door. He slid open the door and pulled the letter off its leg, opening and reading it while he went to the sink for a glass of water.

It was another potential business opportunity, which was good. He only vaguely remembered the name, from school, he guessed. Also Seamus, with whom Roger was meeting up on Wednesday, might have mentioned a Dean Thomas. And, it looked like he knew Hermione and had been in the shop. He Summoned a pen and paper and sat down to pen a reply.

Mr. Thomas,

I hope you're well, and let me thank you first for contacting me. I'm happy that you were impressed with what you saw of my work. If you're available, I could meet with you next week to discuss some of those projects. Just let me know which day would be suitable for you.

Sincerely,

Roger Davies

[shh_dean]

A tapping at his window broke Dean's concentration and he put his pencil down and pushed his chair away from the desk. He saw it was another owl and he wondered what news it had brought. Dean walked over and opened the window to let the owl in.

The owl nudged him insistently and Dean gave it a double handful of treats, hoping its owner wouldn't be too upset. While the owl pecked at his treats, Dean untied the letter and opened it.

He was pleased to see it was from Roger Davies, the builder Hermione had recommended. He walked back to his desk after the owl left and sat down before he dipped his quill in his inkwell.

Mr. Davies,

Thank you for your response. I may have a good deal of work for you and would like to discuss some upcoming opportunities. If you'd like, I am available next Monday. We could meet where ever you want. I hope you are having a good day.

Sincerely,

Dean Thomas

[shh_roger]

Mr. Thomas,

Monday sounds great. I have some time in the afternoon, if that suits you? We could meet at my shop on River and 2nd, unless there's a specific job you'd like to show me then, in which case we could meet there. I'm open to whatever you'd like to do. Just let me know. And my day's been good, by the way. I hope yours has, as well.

Sincerely,

Roger Davies

[shh_dean]

Mr. Davies,

Would your shop be okay? I have two prospective clients who I am speaking to this weekend. One would be a lengthy project and the other is fairly urgent.

I'm excited to meet you and I can't wait to see some more of your work.

Sincerely,

Dean Thomas

[shh_cedric]

Dear Dean,

That would be fantastic. And I hope you'll forgive the informality. I've been buried with the museum, so honestly, I've not had a lot of time (or money) to put towards the house. But I'll begin looking into a loan for supplies and labor and we can sit down and talk about the blueprints you drew up. I'd like to get started as soon as the weather permits, but I really have no idea how long something like this might take.

I'd be available for a meeting later this week, Thursday or Friday if you're available? Or even over the weekend? Whatever suits your schedule.

With thanks,
Cedric

[shh_dean]

Owls meant more business and more contacts, so Dean was happy when another one was pecking at his window. He opened the window and for a fleeting moment, he thought it might be from Seamus.

When he untied the note, he was mildly disappointed when he saw it wasn't from his mate. But he cheered up quickly because Cedric was another person he let down.

Dean strolled over to the desk and prepared a response for Cedric.

Dear Cedric,

I apologize for being so formal. I just don't know how to how to address someone who I let down. I would love to work with you on this project and I know how important it is to you, so I'd like to get started as soon as possible. I think that we can work out a decent price and I have a builder in mind. Would Saturday be okay to meet? It will be great to see you again.

Dean

[shh_cedric]

Dear Dean,

Saturday (during the day) would be splendid. Last time we met at your office. Shall we meet there again, or would you like to come out to the land and see what's left of the house? I brought pictures last time, but wasn't sure if that's enough. Name a time (as long as it's not at the crack of dawn?).

--Cedric

[shh_dean]

Cedric,

I think out to your property would be wonderful. We could go over your needs and your ideas of what you want. Would 10 o'clock be okay? I look forward to seeing you again.

Dean

[shh_seamus]

Seamus stared down at the owl for the fourth time since he'd first received it. It was odd hearing from Dean again after he had disappeared, and truth be told, he was a bit hurt by it. If anyone could have helped Dean with what he was going through, it was Seamus. And Dean had simply forgotten him?

That just wasn't on.

Finally, he rubbed at his temple and grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen, hurt and a little angry, and began to write. Dean was his best mate, after all.

Dean-

I'm not going to lie to you. I don't like that you didn't contact me at all. I've been worried about you. You don't just disappear on a person like that, Dean. I expect at least five dozen pints. Get your arse over to the pub one of these nights.

-Seamus

[shh_dean]

Dean read the owl from Seamus twice. He thought at first that Seamus wasn't going to give him a chance and judging from his tone, Dean knew he wasn't very happy with him. But Seamus had given him an opening and that's all Dean could ask for after what he'd done to someone he cared about.

After he sat, Dean spent a long while contemplating what to say to his old friend. He spent fifteen minutes tapping his quill on his chin, the desk, his inkwell until he finally settled down and came up with a response.

Seamus,

I'm sorry I let you down. You're the best friend a person could ask for and I shouldn't have been so selfish. I was in a bad place and all I could think of was myself and I apologize. Thanks for giving me another chance though and I'll make sure I won't do anything like that to you again.

Dean

P.S. Will it be five dozen pints at one time? We may need someone to carry us out of there. Maybe I can drop by Saturday?Dean tied the note to his owl and watched him fly away, wondering if his friendship with Seamus would

[shh_seamus]

Seamus leaned back in his bed and rubbed at his eyes before reading the letter. He opened it carefully and began reading it, looking it over sentence by sentence. He sighed when he finished the letter, closing his eyes and leaning back again. He had to think about what to write back to his friend.

He opened his eyes and looked at the letter again, unfolding it completely and noticing the post script for the first time. He laughed in spite of himself, and he leaned forward, ready to write a response.

Dean-

No worries. See you Saturday.

-Seamus

[shh_blaise]

Mr Thomas,

I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. No apologies are needed under the circumstances.

Plans with the library have moved along. We have now had the proposal accepted and work has begun. There is still a fair bit of structural work needed to the building. Some interior walls need to be built and repairs to the general building. Terry Boot had worked out some restoration charms, but wanted to consult you with regards to them before we put them in place.

If you feel you could help with any of these areas I would be more than pleased to meet with you. I can be found in the library most days.

Blaise Zabini.

[shh_dean]

Mr. Zabini,

I apologize for my delay in returning your owl.

I'm glad your project is moving along and I am sorry I was not here to help it along. I would definitely be interested in assisting you in any way I could.

I would like to come by next week Wednesday if possible to speak to you about your project.

Dean Thomas

[shh_blaise]

Mr Thomas,

Apology accepted. I understand how busy one can get.

I shall be working at the library most of Wednesday anyway so feel free to drop by. I’ll make sure I bring Boot’s charm calculations that refer to the repair of the structural damage with me so you can look them over and I’ll give you a tour.

Let me know a rough time.

Blaise Zabini.

[shh_dean]

Mr. Zabini,

Thank you for your understanding. I will be able to come by the library in the late afternoon if that would be acceptable.

I am looking forward to making your aquaintance again.

Dean Thomas