Bookishness

[schwitters]

Edited by Yoshimar to add the date, message me if it's not the right time <3

August 31st in the morning.

Theodore Nott browsed the book shop lethargically, killing time before heading home to get ready for the Ministry ball... thing. Needless to say, he was not a fan of parties, dances, or anything festive for that matter, but after much consideration decided that perhaps, even if good for nothing else, this ball could be an important networking activity. He didn't often get the chance to be surrounded by hundreds of important people, after all - and who knows? maybe there might even be someone there with something of value to say! Probably not, but he had to try to find some benefit in going, other than the refreshments. Theodore, feeling miserable and and quite cynical, was beginning to rethink his decision. Maybe I'd be better off staying home and watching the leaves fall after all, he considered. Thus, while deciding and un-deciding whether or not to even bother, he skimmed the titles on the shelves in front of him and grumbled softly to himself.

Perhaps after this store, he would shop for some new dress robes... though if there was one thing in this world he hated more than dancing, it was clothes-shopping.

There really was no winning today, was there?

Theodore sunk deeper into his cloak and large scarf and sulked in the fiction section waiting for something - anything - to happen. The world around him seemed to be brimming with excitement, and he was feeling none of it.

[Trixier]

Pansy was hiding. Her mother had taken this day to go robes shopping and for a small fraction of a moment had looked away. The Slytherin found the closest shop and saw that it as the book store. She looked around at the mountains of booked and frowned why couldn't it be a coffee shop or a pastry shop? She straightened out and straightened her clothes as she stepped around the book shelves finding no new magazines that she would really be into.

She ran a hand through her hair and sighed. Tonight was the ball, and Draco had not even as much said a word about it to her. For some reason Pansy though she should have been sadder but a small part of her didn't really care.

Summer had been long and tedious, she had been writing secret letters to a certain Gryffindor and she was paranoid that anyone would find out. What would they say? They would shun her down, disinherit her, kick her out of the house, she would be kicked out of school and then...well then she would have no future. Not that she had any future asides from ending up dead at a young age.

She shook her head and ran her finger down the spines of many books until she saw a figure that looked slightly familiar. It looked like Theodore, with his still bookish looks however he seemed taller. Hum, he must have grown over the summer. Then Pansy looked at herself and frowned or maybe she had stopped growing at a dissatisfying height.

"Nott, Theodore Nott?" She asked softly and gave him the closest of a smile that she would muster in public a certain type of friendly smirk. "Figures everybody else is in dress shops and you are here in a corner looking at books." It wasn't said in a hurtful tone in fact she was using her friendly tone which was a rare occurrence indeed.

[schwitters]

Theodore was startled at hearing his name, and fumbled the book he was leafing through; it hit the floor in a flutter of paper and dust. "Er, Pansy Parkinson?" he stammered. He squinted at her, unsure at first whether he had imagined hearing anything at all. He hadn't expected to come across anyone he knew, least of all Slytherin's elegant prefect. Theodore wasn't sure what else to do or say, so he picked up the book and set it back on the shelf, then tugged at his sleeve absentmindedly.

"You're not dress shopping either... ?" was the best greeting he could manage. "I mean, not that it isn't a pleasant surprise to see you here. Because it is. Pleasant, I mean."

Theodore cursed his verbal clumsiness - he wasn't all that used to speaking to anyone, especially after spending much of his summer alone. His father was still on the run doing Merlin-knows-what, so Theodore had had the house to himself with only some minor inteferences from the elves, who he didn't bother speaking to anyways.

Now, having run into Pansy, he felt ridiculously awkward. At least during school, there were always idiots and losers to gossip about... what did people do in situations like this? Certainly discussion the weather wasn't the most interesting ice breaker. Suddenly, he remembered something.

"Are you ready for the Ball? That is, if you're going... though, I'm assuming you are. I'm still debating it, myself." Theodore paused, then added, "Either way, I think I need to buy some new dress robes after this... Are you looking for books?"

Pansy had never struck him as much of a reader. Surely that was something he would have noticed? But he hadn't seen her in a couple of months, and he supposed people could change at any time, however short. He tried to recall anything else he might have been able to make relevant conversation about, and coming up short, went with the obvious:

"How was your summer?" he asked her.

[Trixier]

"You're not dress shopping either... ?" was the best greeting he could manage. "I mean, not that it isn't a pleasant surprise to see you here. Because it is. Pleasant, I mean."

Pansy raised an eyebrow. She was used to having guys stutter over their words when they talked to her. She was still out of bounds for any Slytherin boy so each time they would talk to her they ended up stuttering and looking over their shoulder to see if Draco or Crabbe and Goyle were near. Theodore however never struck her as the type so she just had to blame it all on the fact she surprised him.

“I was.” She paused. “Well more for accessorizing really this place is so dull when it comes to robe choices specially lately they all have gotten a certain muggle style to them.”

"Are you ready for the Ball? That is, if you're going... though, I'm assuming you are. I'm still debating it, myself." Theodore paused, then added, "Either way, I think I need to buy some new dress robes after this... Are you looking for books?"

“Mother and I got separated for a moment so I came in to get the rest of my book supplies.” She explained not seeming unnerved or even concerned about his social awkwardness. Theodore was always the book type and she had seen him usually avoiding every type of human interaction by hiding behind a book.

What she had said was a lie of course but it came out of her mouth with such a natural way that no one would trust otherwise. She ran her finger over the spine of a book and then another waiting for Nott to speak again. At the question of her summer she turned her head.

“Marvelous, of course. I spend it in one of our Villas in Spain.” This was a lie, but there was no possible way that pansy would tell Theodore that she had been cooped up at her house the whole summer, waiting for secret letters and scared out of her wits. She couldn’t tell him about the meetings in her house or how she was ushered into her room more often than necessary. No, Spain sounded like a far better choice.

“And you? Did all of the summer reading did you not?” A pause before she addressed the other topic that was brought up.

“Certainly it seems like a great opportunity to meet important people. And Nott you must go I am pretty sure that Malfoy would like to see you.” Oh that had slipped she should have not referred to Draco by his last name it would make it evident that something was wrong., Besides she knew Draco would not want to see Theodore or her, she had not even gotten a letter from him in all summer probably being happy in the glory that his father was now Minister.

“A reason to come out and enjoy some good music at the least. See the peasantry trying to act like royalty and failing.”

[schwitters]

Pansy raised an eyebrow. She was used to having guys stutter over their words when they talked to her. She was still out of bounds for any Slytherin boy so each time they would talk to her they ended up stuttering and looking over their shoulder to see if Draco or Crabbe and Goyle were near. Theodore however never struck her as the type so she just had to blame it all on the fact she surprised him.

“I was.” She paused. “Well more for accessorizing really this place is so dull when it comes to robe choices specially lately they all have gotten a certain muggle style to them.”

Theodore's expression sunk a little at seeing Pansy's confused... or was it irritated? one. He hoped he hadn't offended her by acting strangely and made a conscious effort to try to act more sociable from then on. As he was not well acquainted with her, this did not come easily.

"Yes, I've noticed. Pity, that. I suppose they'll have us dressing like house elves next." he said. "Not that I know much about fashion, but what I have seen has been quite tasteless."

“Marvelous, of course. I spend it in one of our Villas in Spain.” This was a lie, but there was no possible way that pansy would tell Theodore that she had been cooped up at her house the whole summer, waiting for secret letters and scared out of her wits. She couldn’t tell him about the meetings in her house or how she was ushered into her room more often than necessary. No, Spain sounded like a far better choice.

Theodore didn't notice the lie, and felt envious upon the mention of Spain. His summer had been considerably less marvelous - a lengthy, lonely stay in his own empty house, with only the occasional owl meant for or from his father to break up the monotony. Even his father's letters had been little comfort, however - they were mostly short and asking for news or money, and not much bothered with asking how Theodore's summer was going.

"That sounds fantastic... it must have been so nice to get away." he replied, somewhat morosely. "I can't say mine was nearly exciting. I went for walks in the woods a lot." He immediately cursed himself for admitting to that, thinking about how pathetic he must sound.

"I was studying," he added quickly, a lame excuse. He tried to change the subject to something more engaging. "Have you seen any of our housemates lately? I saw that fourth year - you know, the one with the terrible hair? - she was fatter than ever. If I hadn't known better, I'd have thought she was a Hufflepuff."

“And you? Did all of the summer reading did you not?” A pause before she addressed the other topic that was brought up.

"Indeed... I've already done all my reading for the year. It's all rather simplistic. Boring, really. Have you?" He neglected to mention that his attention to reading had not been out of a keen desire to learn, but of boredom and necessity. He hadn't had much else to do.

“Certainly it seems like a great opportunity to meet important people. And Nott you must go I am pretty sure that Malfoy would like to see you.” Oh that had slipped she should have not referred to Draco by his last name it would make it evident that something was wrong., Besides she knew Draco would not want to see Theodore or her, she had not even gotten a letter from him in all summer probably being happy in the glory that his father was now Minister.

“A reason to come out and enjoy some good music at the least. See the peasantry trying to act like royalty and failing.”

The use of Malfoy's last name struck him as odd; for all he knew Pansy was one of his closest cohorts. Had something happened? He decided not to mention it. "The important people are the best reason I can think of for going." he nodded. "I'm not sure how excited Draco will be to see me, however. We don't speak much, though my father has been asking about him. At least one of our own is in charge, rather than more heart-on-sleeve muggle enthusiasts."

Theodore was not the biggest fan of Malfoy (who didn't strike him as the most subtle or thoughtful person he'd met), but tried not to show it when speaking with other Slytherins. In all truth, he couldn't have cared less about his newest political development.

"The music will be worth it, I suppose." he said, though he had no clue what would be playing there. He assumed he would probably not enjoy it. The people-watching would be more up his alley, and would likely provide an evening's worth of entertainment.

"Maybe the Weasleys will be there," he said with a smirk. "Dressed in the finest rags the alley dustbins have to offer. Maybe they've reproduced some more. I could use a good laugh."

[Trixier]

"Yes, I've noticed. Pity, that. I suppose they'll have us dressing like house elves next." he said. "Not that I know much about fashion, but what I have seen has been quite tasteless."

Pansy laughed her little obnoxious laugh, and then wondered if she was really just trying to hard to get into talks with the Slytherins. Most of them had been slightly suspicious at her sporadic disappearances but she realized that Nott was probably more interested in the books she owned that her social standings.

"That sounds fantastic... it must have been so nice to get away." he replied, somewhat morosely. "I can't say mine was nearly exciting. I went for walks in the woods a lot." He immediately cursed himself for admitting to that, thinking about how pathetic he must sound.

Pansy looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “Oh.” She said curiosity lightning her features for a second. “Were you not frightened by animals that live there?” She frowned for a moment tossing her hair. “I despise animals annoying little things.”

At his next admission she shook her head. “Oh Nott you really need to step out of your house more often. You should have wrote me I am certain mother would always enjoy having you over for tea.” When he mentioned the fourth year she wrinkled her nose.

“The younger students do not really know how to be respectful towards the house. I swear I feel like they need a baby sitter to inform them how to act they let anything in our house these days.” She stuck her nose up in the air as she began walking around the shop motioning for Theodore to accompany her.

"Indeed... I've already done all my reading for the year. It's all rather simplistic. Boring, really. Have you?"

“Oh yes! That book on Transfiguration was fascinating and the new theorie-” She stopped abruptly and cleared her throat. “Ladies do not occupy themselves with reading it is far too much information that I do not need to know.” She quickly added to cover up her slip. She had an image to be a socialite, a basket case, one of Draco’s lackeys and while she was trying to break from that she rather not do it so evidently.

She nodded at the mention of the happenings of the ball. At Weasley’s mention she shrieked with laughter imagining Ginevra Weasley all dressed up in a sack of potatoes. It was clearly up their alley. However thinking of the Weasley’s got her to think about Harry and she soon had to shake her head to take herself off dream land.

“Theodore.” She said referring to him by his first name for once. “I do need an escort mother does not think it is prudent for a lady to attend social gatherings without one.” She looked at him and without waiting for a reaction she looked away.

“It will not be much we can go and comment on people’s clothes we do not even really have to dance but I rather her not be going around Diagon Alley trying to find someone to accompany me and at the moment you are the most pleasant acceptable company I have had in a while.” She did not blush, she did not even flinch. It did not even seem like an invitation it seemed more like a proposal and the tone in which she said it made it evident that Theodore would be naive not to accept it.

[schwitters]

Theodore, though startled by her laugh, welcomed it. Perhaps he wasn't doing nearly as poorly at socialising as he'd previously assumed. He gave a small smile, then quickly switched back to his usual, more neutral expression. He didn't mind seeming awkward - he was used to that - but looking eager or silly was definately not something he wanted to do, especially around someone as relatively important as Pansy.

Pansy looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “Oh.” She said curiosity lightning her features for a second. “Were you not frightened by animals that live there?” She frowned for a moment tossing her hair. “I despise animals annoying little things.”

"I don't care for them much myself," Theodore said quickly. "but there isn't much to talk about in the forest near my house - the gardener sees to that. It just wouldn't be hygienic if he didn't."

This was a lie, but Theodore didn't want to seem like some kind of weird nature-loving woodsman... not like that crass Hagrid fellow that kept the ground at school. Something about that kind of mindset just seemed so tacky... so low-class... not really something Theodore wanted to associate himself with. His outdoor explorations were better kept to himself, and the fact that few animals frightened him since he was able to see thestrals was best kept a secret also.

At his next admission she shook her head. “Oh Nott you really need to step out of your house more often. You should have wrote me I am certain mother would always enjoy having you over for tea.”

"I could only assume you were busying yourself at one of your villas," he replied, not mentioning that he hadn't thought someone like Pansy would be interested in someone like him hanging around her household. He even considered himself boring company. "I do appreciate the offer, though, despite the fact that I'm much too late to accept it."

When he mentioned the fourth year she wrinkled her nose.

“The younger students do not really know how to be respectful towards the house. I swear I feel like they need a baby sitter to inform them how to act they let anything in our house these days.” She stuck her nose up in the air as she began walking around the shop motioning for Theodore to accompany her.

"Most definately, they ought to have restrictions on who they allow to attend our school... I've definately noticed the quality of new students going downh... " Theodore trailed off as Pansy began to walk, and followed her obediently.

“Oh yes! That book on Transfiguration was fascinating and the new theorie-” She stopped abruptly and cleared her throat. “Ladies do not occupy themselves with reading it is far too much information that I do not need to know.” She quickly added to cover up her slip.

Theodore raised an eyebrow, but let it pass. Why someone should claim ignorance when they clearly were not, he did not understand, but he could only assume she had her reasons. Or perhaps it was a joke? He wasn't sure whether he should laugh or remain serious, and so settled on a small, ambiguous titter. It sounded much more gleeful than he had intended, and he stopped himself suddenly and cleared his throat.

“Theodore.” She said referring to him by his first name for once. “I do need an escort mother does not think it is prudent for a lady to attend social gatherings without one.” She looked at him and without waiting for a reaction she looked away.

“It will not be much we can go and comment on people’s clothes we do not even really have to dance but I rather her not be going around Diagon Alley trying to find someone to accompany me and at the moment you are the most pleasant acceptable company I have had in a while.” She did not blush, she did not even flinch. It did not even seem like an invitation it seemed more like a proposal and the tone in which she said it made it evident that Theodore would be naive not to accept it.

He was shocked to say the least... had he just heard that correctly? Her remarks had been made so calmly, so casually, it was almost as though she had not made them at all. Theodore considered this for a moment before deciding that he had, in fact, heard her correctly... and that she was asking - more like telling - him to escort her to the ball. Wouldn't Draco be angry? He assumed she wouldn't have asked if that was a case, but figured it would be impolite to ask her about it.

"Of... of course," he stammered, again not wanting to seem to eager, but not wanting to seem disinterested either. He sounded more surprised than anything. "It would only be proper. I can't imagine anyone whose witty observations I'd rather be entertained by during this evening's festivities... or a more classy companion. It would be my delight to accompany you." He stopped himself at the risk of sounding overenthusiastic.

Pleasant, acceptable company? That would be the first time anyone would refer to him as such. This was turning out to be a very, very strange afternoon indeed, and he still wasn't altogether sure whether this was simply the product of a bored imagination. He wasn't sure what else to say to her - should he thank her? Ask her whether he should meet her beforehand in order to accompany her there? He'd never escorted anyone anywhere before, so he wasn't sure what to do next. Confused, he simply said nothing and continued walking alongside her, thoughtfully staring straight ahead.

[Trixier]

"I could only assume you were busying yourself at one of your villas," he replied, not mentioning that he hadn't thought someone like Pansy would be interested in someone like him hanging around her household. He even considered himself boring company. "I do appreciate the offer, though, despite the fact that I'm much too late to accept it."

Pansy raised an eyebrow and then shrugged her shoulders. “Well it is always open during the summer you just need to send me an owl.” She said running her fingers through hr black hair. “As much as I enjoy mother’s company people my age are far more likable than some of the older ladies that decide to visit mother.”

She waited for the response to her proposal yet did not try to look overly concerned. She grabbed a random book and flipped through it the images immediately making her set it back. She tossed her hair and looked at Theodore when he finally started talking.

"Of... of course," he stammered, again not wanting to seem to eager, but not wanting to seem disinterested either. He sounded more surprised than anything. "It would only be proper. I can't imagine anyone whose witty observations I'd rather be entertained by during this evening's festivities... or a more classy companion. It would be my delight to accompany you." He stopped himself at the risk of sounding overenthusiastic.

She wasn’t surprised, she thought any of the boys would enjoy her company and Theodore was witty enough and for a moment she even thought that this would be even more enjoyable than her balls with Draco. While she was all for being proper sometimes Draco was far too proper focused on what others would say, hardly danced and would just be looking at people and being quiet. Of course they also could look at people and not need words they would just look at them and a slight gesture would say everything.

However she was not afraid or worried about her decision. Theodore was witty and she always thought that if given the chance he would be a rather charming fellow. Besides this was all for show, he was a proper gentleman, a Slytherin and way better than her other idea of who she was really interested in inviting.

After all as fun as it would be to see the look on people’s faces if she invited Harry Theodore was by far the better option.

She didn’t say thank you instead she took his arm and led him out of the book shop. “Do you have robes yet? We do not need to match that is absolutely ridiculous.” She said and took a pause. “It might be prudent if we arrive together I am not waiting for you at the entrance of the Malfoy Manor. Besides it is the only way my parents will not insist in going with me to assure I arrived safely.”

[schwitters]

Pansy raised an eyebrow and then shrugged her shoulders. “Well it is always open during the summer you just need to send me an owl.” She said running her fingers through hr black hair. “As much as I enjoy mother’s company people my age are far more likable than some of the older ladies that decide to visit mother.”

Theodore nodded. "I thank you kindly," he said, though he doubted he would be one to invite himself to anyone's home, even if an invitation had been extended previously - unless, of course there was some benefit in going other than mere socialising. He didn't much fancy having to think up topics to converse about. In that way, he had always been quite lazy.

She didn’t say thank you instead she took his arm and led him out of the book shop. “Do you have robes yet? We do not need to match that is absolutely ridiculous.” She said and took a pause. “It might be prudent if we arrive together I am not waiting for you at the entrance of the Malfoy Manor. Besides it is the only way my parents will not insist in going with me to assure I arrived safely.”

Pansy touching his arm made him more than a little uncomfortable, but he went along with it, trying his best not to look too unnerved. It was much easier for him to feign confidence when he was among those he knew better, and Pansy's was personality was something he was completely unused to dealing with. Not a lot of people were as insistent as she was, and Theodore was almost glad to have someone else think things through for him rather than having to do it himself.

"I don't have robes yet, no... and I'm certainly not going to wear my old ones." he said, giving a small, nervous laugh. "You're more fashion-forward than I am... where do YOU suppose I should purchase some?" He guessed it was better for her to decide for him rather than picking his own and making some terrible fashion mistake. He only hoped what she suggestion wasn't too expensive - though he had some money, he didn't have nearly as much as he guessed Pansy would have, not that he would ever admit to it.

"It would be prudent indeed, you are right." he nodded. Agreeing came easily to him. "I'll meet you at your own manor at the time of your choosing... if that's what you think is best?" he added unsuredly.

[Trixier]

"You're more fashion-forward than I am... where do YOU suppose I should purchase some?"

"Not anywhere here that is for certain." Pansy said looking around as they stepped into Diagon Alley's streets. As she spoke she remembered listening into a conversation that had happened during dinner at her house. In it the name Nott came up and the fact that his father was on the run. As such Pansy furrowed her brow to think for a few moments.

"It would be prudent indeed, you are right." he nodded. Agreeing came easily to him. "I'll meet you at your own manor at the time of your choosing... if that's what you think is best?"

She nodded and immediately came to a conclusion that would be best for the situation regarding Theodore's robes. "Sounds like a perfect plan." As she talked she slowed down and waited until they were in an area with not many people around. What she was going to say would seem incredibly imprudent in other situations but Theodore had admitted that he was not fashion forward and as such she would be doing him and herself a favor with what she was about to suggest.

"I will order the robes for you since I am completely convinced that males are color blind when it comes to fashion. Should we meet at around... 5?" Pansy smirked slightly, almost tempted for a moment to let him know that Draco's mom always chose his attire for him but to try and maintain her composure of a lady she chose against it.

"I can have them ready in my house at the time we meet. I know of a robes shop in France that is all the rage all they need is a letter of the order for them to deliver them." She took a pause looking at Theodore, she knew that the Nott family wasn't the wealthiest, and the fact that she had seen Theodore clutching slightly beat up books from time to time made her think that the son wasn't any better off.

How could she say that money would not be an issue?

She tossed her hair. "I shall acquire them for you due to the impropriety of me coming on so strongly and requesting your presence in such a rude way." She explained and watched him closely for any signs of anger. She doubted he would if he knew what was best for him. After all not many got this type of chance to accompany Pansy to the ball and to also get robes that she chose specially for them from an exclusive boutique. She thought Theodore should feel rather lucky.

[schwitters]

She nodded and immediately came to a conclusion that would be best for the situation regarding Theodore's robes. "Sounds like a perfect plan." As she talked she slowed down and waited until they were in an area with not many people around. What she was going to say would seem incredibly imprudent in other situations but Theodore had admitted that he was not fashion forward and as such she would be doing him and herself a favor with what she was about to suggest.

Theodore followed her nervously to the place where she led him - away from the busy crowds they were previously walking through. At first, he thought that she was probably angry or irritated with him and had stopped there to chastise him for some accidental impropriety... maybe she was going to take back her invitation? Perhaps he wasn't fashionable enough to be seen with her after all. He wore a worried expression until Pansy shocked him with her unexpected act of generosity.

"I will order the robes for you since I am completely convinced that males are color blind when it comes to fashion. Should we meet at around... 5?" Pansy smirked slightly, almost tempted for a moment to let him know that Draco's mom always chose his attire for him but to try and maintain her composure of a lady she chose against it.

"R-really?" he sputtered, eyes wide. "You don't have to do that! I hadn't meant that you had to... I mean... that's very kind of you, but... are you sure?" Theodore was rarely - if ever - a recipient of random acts of kindness, and what made this all the more shocking was that it was Pansy Parkinson offering her kindness. This day was getting more and more unusual by the minute - what next? Would hippogriffs swoop down from the sky and fly them to the ball?

"I can have them ready in my house at the time we meet. I know of a robes shop in France that is all the rage all they need is a letter of the order for them to deliver them." She took a pause looking at Theodore, she knew that the Nott family wasn't the wealthiest, and the fact that she had seen Theodore clutching slightly beat up books from time to time made her think that the son wasn't any better off.

"Wow... thank-you, Pansy. Thank-you very much... How can I ever repay you for your generosity?" Theodore asked. Though he'd meant it differently, he immediately was struck with the question of how WOULD he pay her back, exactly? He scarcely had enough to pay for nice Diagon Alley robes... and ones from France had to cost a hundred times that much. Oh dear, he thought, what now? After all Pansy's niceness and help, he couldn't just tell her to call it all off due to his lack of pocket money. What to do? What to do? He tried not to look too panicked, but was sure he was failing miserably.

She tossed her hair. "I shall acquire them for you due to the impropriety of me coming on so strongly and requesting your presence in such a rude way." She explained and watched him closely for any signs of anger. She doubted he would if he knew what was best for him. After all not many got this type of chance to accompany Pansy to the ball and to also get robes that she chose specially for them from an exclusive boutique. She thought Theodore should feel rather lucky.

Rather than feeling angry, Theodore felt incredibly relieved. Sure, he felt guilty accepting what was probably going to be a hugely expensive gift, but he would have felt even worse had he had to tell her he couldn't go due to not being well-dressed or wealthy enough. Perhaps this was his lucky day after all!

"Thank-you, Pansy. A million times thanks!" he said, forgetting for a moment his attempts at keeping a cool composure. He stopped himself just short of thanking her again, and cleared his throat. He gave a small smile. "And you haven't been rude at all... if anything, I've never been so lucky as to encounter someone so pleasant."

All his usual snark forgotten, Theodore supposed that when his classmates encountered him at the ball tonight - with new robes and accompanying Pansy Parkinson - they would wonder how so much could have changed in so short a time. He didn't really care. He supposed even someone as bookwormish as himself deserved to have a little fun once in awhile.

[Trixier]

"R-really?" he sputtered, eyes wide. "You don't have to do that! I hadn't meant that you had to... I mean... that's very kind of you, but... are you sure?"

Pansy rubbed her left temple in a circular motion. She didn't like when people mentioned that something she did was kind because it made her think that Harry Potter was rubbing even more on her. She shook her head and flicked some hair behind her ear. She was always prudent with those in her house she even sometimes took some of the first year under her wind. Of course everybody always thought that this was because she needed to have more lackeys which was not necessarily the truth.


"Thank-you, Pansy. A million times thanks!"

She sighed and looked at Theodore as she began walking again with him to the more crowded areas. "Well it is nothing really." She pauses as she waved her hands at some passerby's that recognized her. "I can not let my date go around in Diagon Alley robes." She whispered to him and then gave a little wink to him before she separated herself from his arm.

"Well I better go meet my mother before she buys me some dreadful fuchsia color robes." She looked at him and then ran a hand through her hair. "I will meet you tonight." She said as she walked away and looked over her shoulder.

"Do be on time I detest waiting for people." Pansy supposed that out of school it paid a lot more to be cordial to at least her own house members.

[schwitters]

"Well I better go meet my mother before she buys me some dreadful fuchsia color robes." She looked at him and then ran a hand through her hair. "I will meet you tonight." She said as she walked away and looked over her shoulder.

"Do be on time I detest waiting for people." Pansy supposed that out of school it paid a lot more to be cordial to at least her own house members.

"I'll see you then," Theodore said dreamily. "Goodbye." He stood in one spot as she walked away from him, and it was only once Pansy was out of sight that what had just happened finally began to sink in. He was going to the ball! And with someone! And he'd be well-dressed, too! This was going to be an interesting time, indeed. As he began to walk back towards the bookstore, he imagined all the doors of opportunity that might be opened after tonight - the important people he would mingle with, the sights he would see...

The shock was wearing off as he neared Florish & Blotts, and as he thought about the excitement that awaited him, he paused with his hand on the door handle. While Theodore usually would have immediately wanted to seek comfort in the fantasy world of a book at a time like this, he thought better of it. Truth was shaping up to be stranger than fiction today, after all.