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Post by Felicity Hjort on Mar 8, 2009 3:31:53 GMT -5
"That's what my dad says, too," she answered nervously. Or, at least that's what he made it sound like, normally it was something to the effect of what would have to talk to American's about? But then he thought about the circumstances...and rethought what he said. Turning her attention to Drew's father, she smiled pleasantly, deciding all ready that she liked him, she liked his mum too, so far.
"Yes sir, he manages a market. Has now for a number of years," Felicity continued. She recognized the use of the word grocery, as Drew had said once or twice, though she never understood why. It was a market place, and she'd never heard of a grocery place, though it was the place to purchase ones groceries. "And mum runs her own little nursery, of sorts."
It was the only way she could think of to explain her mum's herbology sales. Sometimes in the form of the plant, others in potions. She was in the business for a little extra money, and rarely did it much anymore.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Mar 11, 2009 22:50:33 GMT -5
Drew was even less sure if that was a good thing or not, especially with Felicity's tone, but tried to have a positive outlook. Even if they all griped about how young he and Felicity were, that would be something they would have in common, right?
He tried not to think too much about it, focusing on the fact that his parents were pretty good at the schmooze when they wanted to (he ignored the question as to whether or not they would want to). His dad knew sports and his mom was usually very pleasant so that had to count for something. At least he hoped it did.
"A market," Mark corrected himself, knowing there was a difference and not sure why Drew hadn't figured out that distinction.
"Aunt Abigail thoroughly appreciates the herbs she's gotten from your mother," Dolores added. The older woman had quite a garden herself, but had gotten a few things from Mrs. Hjort when her own supplies were lacking. "I actually brought some plants from home I thought she'd enjoy, things one can't really find over here. I meant to send them along with Drew, but this will be nice to give them to her personally."
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Mar 11, 2009 23:22:55 GMT -5
Smiling hesitantly, Felicity was glad Drew's Aunt was fond of the business bond she and Felicity's mum had made, as her mum rather liked his Aunt. What few visits there were were quite cherished by the older Hjort woman, rather enjoying having another to speak with of the magical world. Though she had her own friends, sometimes getting another view on the news was like opening a doorway to a whole new set of eyes. And honestly, she rather liked the tips the other woman was willing to share about gardening, what she had found worked best for certain plants and such.
"I'm sure she'd appreciate it," Felicity spoke for her mum, knowing she'd more than just appreciate the gesture. In fact, she'd wanted to talk to Drew's mum about just such things if she was into Herbology as well. But such a gift would really warm her heart, and likely win her over quite easily, though it was her dad who had to really be won over. Of course, her mum would feel compelled to give something in return, but what...? Felicity had to wonder about that one.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Mar 12, 2009 0:12:34 GMT -5
Of course, Mrs. Thornton would expect nothing in return, knowing her small gift was hardly equal to all of the food her son had most likely consumed at the Hjort's house. She still wasn't happy with the idea of Drew being so serious with a girl, but she had to appreciate anyone who took as good care of him as Felicity's mother apparently had. Drew had nothing but nice things to say about the woman.
He was rather close-mouthed when it came to Mr. Hjort though, something that caused both of Drew's parents to wonder why. The only impression they gotfrom their son was that Felicity's dad didn't care much for him, and while they were convinced that Drew was the finest of young men, they were pretty sure the father of any girl he was dating might possibly have a different opinion.
Drew was considering the things his parents might talk to Felicity's parents about. His mom was no plant expert, but she was pretty knowledgable and was confident that the two mothers would get along. His dad, though, could talk for hours about Quidditch, but probably had very little in common with her father.
There wasn't a whole lot of time to worry about it as first courses were brought to the table. Drew danced a little in his chair as his salad was placed before him, knowing his ravioli would be coming soon.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Mar 12, 2009 21:44:07 GMT -5
The short silence that took over was rather comforting, and Felicity was glad, not sure what to speak of. Of course, there was Mr. Thornton's employment, Mrs. Thornton's former job as a teacher, but she wasn't sure what to ask or say about either. The blonde wasn't necessarily fond of traveling magically, all ready not looking forward to the test she'd skipped out on once, wishing her mum wouldn't ask her to take it. Apparating was a lot of work, and she wasn't ready for it, not when she could barely perform well enough as was.
Just as she opened her mouth to inquire about Mr. Thornton's job, she was saved of what to really say with the flourish of their starters, salads galore, and every single one of them looked absolutely scrumptious. Another short giggle released when Drew started his dancing again, and she couldn't help but wish they were in a slightly fancier restaurant, one that played music and expected its guests to dance on a beautifully done wood-finished flooring.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Mar 12, 2009 23:22:44 GMT -5
Drew was actually wishing for a more casual place, the kind that would actually have some decent dance music where he could seriously get moving. His mother was just glad he was staying in his seat and off the tables. She couldn't help but wonder if he behaved himself when he was at the Hjorts. Great Merlin, what might they think if he danced at their dinner table?
"A quick grace?" Mark Thornton suggested, offering an open hand to his wife on one side and his son on the other. Drew took joined up, holding his free hand out to Felicity with a lopsided grin. He knew his dad would go with his standard Thank you for the food we're about to receive and good friends and family to share it with, Amen. Short, sweet, and too the point. Whatever got the food in his mouth quickly, he was fine with it.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Mar 14, 2009 3:57:09 GMT -5
A smile shone on Felicity's face when Drew's dad requested grace before their dinner, glad that she wouldn't be saying her own prayer by way of mind as she often did when not dining in her parents home. Though it wasn't a huge deal, she'd been expected to give thanks for what she had before her at every dinner, as it was most often when the entire family was together to eat. But, she always felt a little awkward at a home where thanks wasn't given, always saying it in her head and not being able to wait to say her prayers before bed so she could speak aloud.
Taking Drew's offered hand, she tentatively held her free hand out toward Mrs. Thornton, hoping she'd take it up. While it wasn't a huge deal to not hold hands, she liked to, feeling like it brought her closer to the others she shared the meal with.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Mar 15, 2009 21:05:12 GMT -5
As soon as Lolly took up Felicity's hand, Mark started with his simple prayer and Drew smirked to himself as it was said. "Thank you for the food we're about to receive and good friends and family to share it with, Amen." Drew usually said his own blessing to himself in his head before meals and in all honesty, as often as he had heard his dad's short prayer, his own wasn't even half as long. Didn't matter though. It gave him a legitimate excuse to hold Felicity's hand.
He squeezed her hand and grinned at her before swiping a quick cross over himself and picking up his fork. He would have dug in right away, but knew he technically needed to wait for his mom to start. Fortunately she did before he got too impatient and as that first bite hit his mouth, he danced just a teeny bit more. Good food and great girl. Who wouldn't be happy?
"So we should probably propose a toast to the man of the hour," Mark announced, lifting his wine glass and grinning at his son. "Next stop the Minister's office, right?" he teased, knowing Drew had no desire to take that particular job. And honestly, he couldn't see his son happy sitting behind a desk.
"I probably wouldn't worry about him as much if that were the case," Dolores added, lifting her own glass. "But as much as I fought you on this, I am very, very proud." Her smile was genuine, but Drew could see the sadness that touched it. It was a dangerous career choice and he knew his mom was concerned.
He knew Felicity was also, but like his mom, she also seemed very proud. Knowing that made him more determined to do well. "Thanks," he answered his parents, smiling slightly out of embarassment from their praise. "But you know I'm going to be spending a lot of time shuffling papers for the first couple of years." From what he understood, it wouldn't be much different from classes at Hogwarts.
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Mar 16, 2009 23:18:53 GMT -5
Repeating their thanks softly, barely above the noise around them, she was grateful that they were willing to say prayer before dinner, it was comforting, and it set her a little bit more at ease. Returning the gentle squeeze to her boyfriend's hand, she smiled cautiously at him, and was unable to hide the amusement in her eyes at his glee of being able to finally eat. Taking her own first bite, she wished her mouth wasn't full when Mr. Thornton took the most inopportune time to make a toast in victory of Drew's success.
Of course, when he called Drew a man, she couldn't help the slight wrinkle of her nose, and the even ruder one when he mentioned the possibility of Drew taking the Minister's seat. First, he wasn't British, just some of his heritage was, and second, he didn't want that as far as she knew. Though she had to agree with Drew's mum, she was extremely proud of him, and everything he'd done to get his acceptance.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Apr 1, 2009 1:31:22 GMT -5
Drew was more interested in getting to the food than spending too much time with toasts. It felt good to have his parents, and of course Felicity, proud of him, but it was also a bit embarassing to be on the spot. Clinking his water glass against the others, he took a quick sip and got right to his meal, smiling sideways at Felicty before taking his first bite.
"So, any ideas on who will take the quidditch cup this year?" Mark asked anyone who cared to answer, hoping to keep some conversation going. "Drew said the Lions gave Ravenclaw a run for their money this past year."
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Apr 1, 2009 21:29:59 GMT -5
Just seeing that warm, good feeling, butterfly releasing, inside melting, tingling to the toes smile made Felicity crumble. The fact it was meant just for her was something else altogether. Taking a small bite from her own plate, Felicity tried to concentrate on not focusing too much on the blue-eyed boy she sat beside. It would be just wonderful if his mum happened to catch her stealing too many glances, knowing what her own mum would think (and was actually told by her mum not to do it during her first meeting with his parents too often).
"We tried to give them a run," Felicity answered with a smile. In actuality they'd still been far from coming close to beating the Eagles. And if all panned out well this year there'd be a better chance at beating the Ravenclaw team as a number of the players were lost with the most recent graduate class. "I think it'll either be Gryffindor or Slytherin in for the win this year, their teams still have a number of experienced players left. But with the enthusiasm of the Ravenclaw Captain she might just whip everyone into shape first day."
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Apr 11, 2009 1:54:18 GMT -5
Drew continued with his dinner, but his focus was completely on the girl sitting next to him. He could tell his parents were both impressed with her, his mother somewhat begrudgedly, but still, she liked Felicity. Drew realxed a little with this knowledge, knowing for certain that there was nothing his mother could complain about.
Lolly, of course, was still determined to find something wrong with the girl, falling back on the age of the couple if nothing else became apparent. As much as she wanted to like this girl, they were just too young to be so serious. Drew had done what he always did, locked himself into a singular passion at the excusion of all else. All she could hope for was that he'd come to his senses soon. Until then, she'd watch out. The girl was nice, almost as good as she could have hoped for when it came to her only son, but Lolly didn't want to see her little boy tied down so young.
Mark, on the other hand, had no such worries. Felicity seemed to be a nice girl, not like those princesses who threw themselves at Drew back home. She seemed kind and clever, and dang if she wasn't into sports to boot. She seemed to make his son happy and that was all he really cared about.
Mark laughed easily at her response, understanding and appreciating her underlying compliment. "Chaput. The kids have said some good things about her," he said, nodding over to Drew who was busy shoveling ravioli into his mouth. Lolly was glaring at him for his eating habits, but Mark continued. "Nevertheless, I've heard that the odds are on either Gryffindor... or Hufflepuff this year. Slytherin has the experience, but the Badgers have the drive to get the cup this time around."
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Apr 11, 2009 17:16:40 GMT -5
Agreeing with the comments made about Jax, Felicity nodded. She really was a pretty amazing girl: funny, sweet, tactless, driven, smart, and extremely competitive. Just that one time she'd agreed to go to the Halloween dance with the girl was enough for Felicity to know all that about her. Remembering when Jax was nearly the only person she felt comfortable around after the Deva invaded, she realized how loyal the girl was too. Jax was likely one of the best choices for Quidditch Captain, and she'd make a good one too. This last season showed that, and next season would show too after she'd trained everyone.
"Hufflepuff has the drive, and the teamwork," Felicity commented. "But they're not as competitive as they could be. Slytherin's team will do nearly anything to win, but with Charlie gone now, things might change up a bit. I'm not sure who's getting the badge this year, but it'll be someone who knows how hard it's going to be to fill in for her, and that's going to drive the new captain." Felicity was sure Anna would be keeping her position, and there were a number of players who would easily be able to take strong spots during the course of the year.
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Drew Thornton
Ministry of Magic
Auror-in-Training
I didn't do it and you can't prove otherwise...
Posts: 14,114
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Post by Drew Thornton on Apr 12, 2009 23:25:13 GMT -5
Drew kept quiet for the most part. It had been his experience that the only time Slytherin had ever won a game was when they cheated. Charlie was a Slytherin through and through, but she also believed in sportsmanship and fair play... most of the time. One thing was for sure, she'd never resort to cheating.
{fast forward?}
Dinner progressed, Quidditch taking up a good part of the conversation and started drifing towards a few of the classes at Hogwarts as well as the professors. Drew was thankful his folks didn't bring up Raynor, knowing that Felicity had a major problem with the Headmistress. It was even more fortuitous that the waiter saw the empty plates and came over to ask the dinner party about dessert. Mark paused and looked over at Drew and Felicity to make sure the invitation was still offered to go to the Hjorts. "I believe we have other plans?" he asked rather than answered and Drew nodded back before glancing over at Felicity.
"We're still going to your folks' for dessert, right?"
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Post by Felicity Hjort on Apr 13, 2009 21:00:37 GMT -5
(( xD ))
The conversation throughout dinner flowed nicely, and Felicity found herself slowly becoming more and more comfortable with the setting. And though she worried whether Drew's parents liked her, or just what they really thought of her, she feel like she was going to be ill anymore. It was easier, and his dad was very easy to talk with, though she couldn't really say the same of his mum. She was nice, but Felicity just felt out of place when his mum directed conversation at her or even looked at her. Several times Felicity wondered if she had something on her face and tried as well as she could to hid that she looked in the reflection of her silverware or used a napkin to wipe at a spot that wasn't really there.
"If that's all right," she answered, looking straight at Mr. Thornton though she answered Drew's question. Her mum was expecting the company, but her dad would be sore if they didn't show for dessert. Felicity thought it would be nice, especially since she and Drew had been seeing one another for as long as they had, but if Mr and Mrs Thornton had other plans, she wasn't going to beg them to stop at her home for dessert. "Mum said she and Drew had worked on a dessert for after dinner tonight, and she was going to make another one if it went over well."
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