RP: Welcome To The Dollhouse

[pb_npc2]

Characters: Kathryn Bell, Antonin Bell, Adan Bell, Elladora Bell, Tiberius Ogden, Katie Bell, Mary McDonald, Narcissa Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, Gwenog Jones, Augusta Longbottom, Neville Longbottom, Percy Weasley, Cho Chang, Athena McGonagall, Charlie Weasley, Roger Davies, Alicia Spinnet, Mafalda Hopkirk, Connor Hopkirk, Felipe Hopkirk, Leanne Barber

Comments

Grotto

[pb_katie]

Roger on her arm, Katie paid her respects to both her parents, then led him quickly away, out by the grotto where she was sure that she and what other young people there might be could enjoy themselves without the confines of expensive decor.

Katie took a flute of champagne for herself and one for Roger and leaned in to tell him she hoped Alicia would show up soon and help keep her entertained. It was likely to be a boring night of high society types putting on airs and she took comfort in that one of her best friends would be there to help stir up a little fun.

Re: Grotto

[pb_percy]

"It's alright, Neville." Percy said patiently. A few years living with the boy had made him immune to his occasional bumble and apparently graduating hadn't changed that much. You could take Hogwarts from the head boy but not the head boy from Hogwarts. Without a second thought Percy took out his wand and cleaned away the spilled champange with a kind smile.

"There, no harm done." Neville still looked a little flustered, and Percy imaged this wasn't quite his scene--in a way Percy could sympathize--if it wasn't for Cho agreeing to come with him Percy probably would have weaseled himself out true to the family namesake. "Accompanying your grandmother this evening?"

Re: Grotto

[pb_katie]

"Everyone alright?" Katie asked, joining the crowd with Roger trailing behind.

"Looks like you could use a little help with that dress," Katie said to Cho. "Allow me."

With a quick bit of wand-work, her dress was just like new. "Happens all the time at events like these," she whispered. "I learned how to get wine out at a young age." Katie winked.

"You all enjoying yourselves, I hope," she said to the group, taking another glass of champagne in exchange for her empty flute as a waiter walked by.

Re: Grotto

[pb_neville]

Neville heaved a huge sigh of relief when both Percy and Katie Bell came to his rescue. "Thanks. And sorry for messing things up."

He moved a step back from the three of them, not wanting to mess anyone else up. He addressed Percy. "Yeah, Gran seems to think this is the sort of thing I should be attending, rather than spending my evenings in the greenhouse." Of course, he'd rather be in the greenhouse, but he didn't think it polite to mention that.

"You've a lovely family home, Katie." He said, looking around. "Reckon you keep the gardners on their toes to make it look this good."

Re: Grotto

[pb_percy]

Percy nodded. He could understand finding plants more agreeable than people on occasion. The truth was he'd joined SOF because a part of him had never expected it to go anywhere with the current atmosphere, and that a year ago he could barely call himself functional, let alone human. Now of course things were different, but that also meant the need to become more involved. And perhaps that was good, even if it rarely seemed so.

"Well, it serves to have an interest in current events, at least." Percy said a little airier than he'd meant with Katie present. "And it's been a lovely evening Katie, I'd only heard that your parents were marvelous entertainers until now. It's a pleasure to see for myself."

Re: Grotto

[pb_katie]

"Thank you, Neville," Katie nodded politely, "Percy. Glad you all could make it... Where's Alicia got to, though? She's supposed to be my fun and entertainment tonight! These things are always more fun with a partner in crime." Katie winked.

Re: Grotto

[pb_cho]

Cho was smoothing the front of her dress, making sure that none of the stain had been left behind -- doubly charmed, it really did look good as new, but one could never be sure. She listened politely to the remains of the conversation, however, and at the mention of a partner in crime smiled shyly to herself.

Glancing up at Katie, she echoed Percy's sentiments: "Alicia's really missing out, if she isn't here yet! Even with this champagne mishap, this has been a completely wonderful evening." Cho brought a hand to her mouth, feeling a bit bashful. She'd attracted even more attention with the collision, and now felt as though everyone around were watching.

Re: Grotto

[pb_neville]

Neville fidgeted, not sure what he could offer to a conversation between two right gorgeous women, so he finally offered, "Can I get you another drink, Cho?" He scurried off before she could answer, grabbing a glass of champagne for himself and downing it in one go, coughing a bit as it hit his stomach, an explosion of bubbles.

He brought the other one back for her, trying to be as gentlemanly as he could.

Re: Grotto

[pb_cho]

Cho opened her mouth to answer, but Neville was gone before she had the chance. Laughing brightly, she threw Katie a glance.

Of course, she didn't drink -- not usually, anyway. It was only in social circumstances like this one, with so many people watching and "I don't like alcohol" being such an awkward phrase, that she ever really did. Anyway, poor Neville looked as if he had no idea what to do with himself; it wouldn't do to make things even more uncomfortable for him.

Taking the glass, Cho smiled. "Thank you!" For a moment she stood quietly, taking a grudging sip of the champagne, and then glanced off through the crowd in search of Percy. "I think I'd better go check on my date, actually." Nodding to Neville and Katie, she waved gently with her free hand. "It was lovely seeing both of you."

Re: Grotto

[pb_neville]

Neville watched as Cho left, feeling a bit like he'd mucked things up royally. Snagging another glass of champagne, he said with false cheer to Katie, "So, what have you been up to? The Ministry treating you ok?"

Re: Grotto

[pb_katie]

"Working hard," said Katie, "but, all told, it's not bad. I like what I do. I've a great boss, too. She's here somewhere, I think. Mary McDonald."

She smiled.

"What about you, Neville?" she asked. "What are you up to lately?"

Re: Grotto

[pb_neville]

"Oh, I've been working at Gulliver's Greenhouse. Getting some experience, saving to move out of Gran's place, that sort of thing." Admitting he still lived at home was embarrassing, but no more so than spilling all over someone's dress.

"I think I've read about her. She does press stuff, yeah? Be nice to have a morale boost to the wizarding world." He wasn't going to say anything untoward about the Minister, whatever his reservations.

"Er, would you like to take a walk?" He offered. He really wanted to see more of the gardens that Daphne had told him about.

Re: Grotto

[pb_katie]

"Of course," Katie replied. She excused herself from Roger, who was happily chatting with the rest of the group, and led Neville around the pool.

"Glad to hear you're getting a place of your own, by the way, it'll make it easier to get to and from work and have your own schedule and the like."

"Far as the job goes, working with the press is great and Mary's a whiz with spinning news. I love working for her. She's smart and doesn't take any crap." Katie winked as they passed some mundane plants and moved toward a particularly large flutterby bush and some strong-smelling dittany.

"I love this part of the garden... it's so peaceful," Katie said, taking in a deep breath as the murmur of the crowd started to fade.

Re: Grotto

[pb_neville]

"Gran's been fine about my schedule. She just doesn't like how much I socialize. 'You're a Longbottom, what's wrong with you that you don't spend more time with your mates and with the ladies?'" He mimicked, sighing. "She means well, but she sometimes forgets I'm not my dad, and I don't like the same things." He was being more frank than usual, likely from the champagne he'd downed, but he didn't really notice

Re: Grotto

[pb_lucius]

After his conversation with Mafalda, Lucius decided to go for a walk. It would not do to stay in one place all evening, he might miss someone whose conversation might be useful.

He thought he had spotted the Weasley heading in the direction of the Grotto; the red hair was rather difficult to miss, although there appeared to be another one here as well. Lucius took his half-empty glass with him, watching for anyone he knew. There were a few members of the older pure-blood families among the guests, and Lucius nodded in recognition to them as he passed. Perhaps there would be time to talk to the ones who remained civil to the Malfoys during the evening; it would certainly help if Lucius could find out whether any of the other families still had Ministry connections that could prove useful to him.

Re: Grotto

[pb_percy]

Percy caught a flash of silver-blond out of the corner of his eye. Someone who could have been Lucius Malfoy had walked past the glass of the conservatory, but he couldn't know for sure unless whoever it was made their way to the grotto proper. Percy wasn't disappointed. Lucius emerged into the pools of light cast by the fairylights. Cho was still talking to the others, but Percy guessed there was no way Malfoy would approach that many people that much younger than him alone.

"Cho, would you excuse me a moment?" Saying his pardons, Percy brought Malfoy to her attention and clutched her hand for a moment of reassurance. "I'll be right back, love."

Taking a deep breath and smoothing his robes, Percy made his way over to where Lucius was standing, half-full flute in hand.