User: slygreengrass Date: 2010-02-23 20:37 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Daphne's eyes flashed angrily in Draco's direction for a second before she softened them and spoke sternly, "I invited Mandy and Harry at the same time I invited you and Theodore because I wanted to have a nice afternoon with my friends. I see nothing funny about finding the significant other of one of my dearest friends present at my table." She clearly didn't want a fight between her husband and anyone, Harry or herself. Some things were better put in the past, and Draco had to learn that harboring resentment and anger was good for nobody.

User: nott_involved Date: 2010-02-23 20:57 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Theodore wasn't dying to speak, but he thought he might attempt changing the subject in hopes that things would lighten up. He hadn't come to watch Harry and Draco fight. He had work he could be doing.

"Mandy, any new developments in the real estate sector?" he asked.

User: bronze_raven Date: 2010-02-23 21:04 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Mandy was quite happy to see Daphne defend Harry's place at the table and was slightly surprised by Theodore's question. Nevertheless, she smiled widely and answered, "Oh yes, I've just had a family sell a lovely home near Sheffield and buy a penthouse in London from me... And there's a home I've been showing lately that I'm not sure I have the heart to sell. I've become quite fond of it, and am considering buying it myself. A 3-bedroom near bath with lovely large gardens."

Daphne raised an eyebrow. Mandy was buying a house? She'd definitely need an elf, then. Especially with gardens. Of course, offering an elf to Mandy and Harry in front of Draco wouldn't calm him down at all.

User: potterbynature Date: 2010-02-24 13:13 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Harry was confused and slightly surprised by Mandy's confession that she was thinking of buying a house. She hadn't mentioned it before now. "What does this mean?" he thought.

"I've heard good things about Bath. One of my department heads lives out there. She swears by it," Theodore responded. "She's been trying to get me to put a warehouse there. She seems to think the growing Magical community in Bath could support us there. What do you think, Mandy?"

User: bronze_raven Date: 2010-02-24 13:39 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"The community is definitely growing and quite varied. Some of the middle class wizards have opened new inns and taverns to cater to tourists and are employing the lower middle-class. The upper middle class have been acquiring small summer homes there, and some nouveu riche are buying larger homes. As for old money, they're beginning to move to Bath from cities further north. The weather is quite lovely in Bath most of the time. I think a warehouse could do well. At least give the working class wizards more gainful employment than dish washing," Mandy rattled on. Having a thorough knowledge of British wizarding communities was a large part of her job. She completely forgot that she'd never told Harry about her home-buying ambitions and didn't notice the look on his face now. "Of course, moving from a flat to a home has its drawbacks. I'll have to hire a staff."

"Or buy an elf," Daphne chimed in.

"Yes, that would be easier. I wonder if anyone's breeding currently."

User: potterbynature Date: 2010-02-24 14:30 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Harry coughed a little and the thought of buying an elf. He wasn't particularly fond of them, but more importantly, if Hermione heard she'd haunt him daily until he dismissed it.

"An elf?" he half-asked, half-muttered.

"Oh, very interesting, I'll have to keep that in mind when I have our next expansion meeting," Theodore said in response to Mandy.

User: whitepeacock Date: 2010-02-24 16:04 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"Speaking of the 'nouveu riche'," Draco chimed in, "Where are you living these days, Harry?" Draco drank quietly as he watched the others do their dance, wondering why he came at all to this horrid event, then smirking a bit at the thought of tormenting his old enemy.

Before anyone could answer, he added: "And Mandy, Bath's lovely, isn't it? Taking the waters there really is delightful." He spoke slowly, drawling cautiously, trying not to make any errors despite the amount of drink already in him.

User: potterbynature Date: 2010-02-25 02:57 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"Mandy and I have kept a luxury flat here in the city for some time now, Draco" Harry said confidently. "It's certainly not as large as Malfoy Manor, but that's for the best. I think that Mandy and I would find a large estate like yours lonely, cold, and isolating."

Harry turned to Mandy and said, "Maybe we should take a holiday to Bath soon. It sounds like warm, intimate place to be."

Amidst Draco and Harry's game of "Who Can Be the Most Passive-Aggressive", Theodore caught Daphne's attention and gave her a look that amounted to "you started this."

User: slygreengrass Date: 2010-02-25 03:14 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

The waitress slid their drinks onto the table, making as little ado as possible. In the moment of slight commotion, Daphne leaned over and whispered into Draco's ear, "Do try to get along. Being cordial to Potter in such a public place as this could do wonders for your image and by extension your case against the Ministry. Please do not forget that the wizarding public must be behind us and being seen with the Boy-Who-Lived is good for that." She kissed him on the cheek lightly, pretending like she had said nothing at all of consequence, and gave Theodore a look that seemed to imply she had it all under control.

Mandy smiled at Harry, quite aware of the game he was playing and very glad that his wand was still safely tucked away. "You could see the house if we took a weekend in Bath," she said softly, not trying to give Draco more to work with. "Tell me, Theodore, does Nott Commodities ever provide employee housing?"

User: nott_involved Date: 2010-02-25 16:07 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Theodore nodded and responded to Mandy, "Whenever we require our employees to travel outside apparating distance for more than a single day, we house them. When I worked in China for Foreign Acquisitions, I lived in an apartment owned by the company. Generally, we don't provide housing within Britain, since we tend to hire within apparating distance. But occasions arise."

User: whitepeacock Date: 2010-02-25 18:01 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Draco sat quietly, and drank swiftly. He suddenly smiled, as if someone only he could hear had just told a mildly amusing joke. He abruptly interrupted the conversation, but with better spirits and in a strangely good-natured way.

"Harry," Draco said keenly, "Do you still duel? It's been ages since I've had a good bout."

The falsely genteel smile Draco was sporting indicated (at least to anyone who knew him intimately) that he had some plan he deemed clever mulling about his head.

User: potterbynature Date: 2010-02-25 18:16 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"Yes, every week, I'm responsible for training new members of the Order," Harry wanted to say, but did not. He earned an O on his DADA N.E.W.T., and since then he'd only gotten better. He was in wonderful shape and his instincts and tactics were sharp.

"Now that we're out of school, there aren't many opportunities to duel," Harry answered.

User: slygreengrass Date: 2010-02-25 18:24 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Daphne and Mandy had eerily similar reactions. Both women placed a hand rather firmly on their husbands' arms. "Perhaps because duelling is potentially dangerous and seen as rather uncivilized," Mandy said.

"Quite right," said Daphne. "I might also add that it's completely unneccessary." She looked at Theodore, a glint in her eye admitting that maybe she didn't have the complete control over the situation she hoped. It was only a glint, though. For the most part, she still seemed completely confident.

User: whitepeacock Date: 2010-02-25 20:53 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Draco laughed, and try as he might to make it sound human, it was cold as ever. "I'm not suggesting that anyone duel right here, now am I," he said rather condescendingly.

"I'm quite sure Potter here is gripping his wand firmly at this very moment," Draco went on coolly, "And, he can't really be blamed for his spirit, now can he. Of course, he's so accustomed to being attacked, unprovoked." Draco said this last word like a curse; something he didn't believe to be true at all.

"For my part, and as Harry well knows, were I to suddenly attack in polite company, I would hardly use simple duelling methods. You never were much for Occlumency, were you, Harry?"

Draco laughed again, and he looked around as if everyone really ought to get the joke and laugh with him. He had a point - a strange point - but nonetheless, Draco was extremely gifted at Legilimency, as Aunt Bella had made quite certain.

User: bronze_raven Date: 2010-02-26 01:48 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Mandy sighed and spoke rather coldly for her normally chipper self, "Harry is doing no such thing Draco. I can account for both of his hands and neither is gripping a wand. Now, we all understand that you've been through some rough times recently and that you never got on with Harry in school, but as you haven't seen him in years, I'd prefer you not make gross assumptions about him. Thank you." With that, she took a sip of her drink. It was rather rude of her to have that little outburst but Draco was being quite rude himself.

User: whitepeacock Date: 2010-02-26 03:21 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Draco smiled again, this time apologetically. "Forgive my manners, both of you." He gave a forced, stifled cough, as if to inflect how distasteful that particular apology was.

"Congratulations are in order, Harry," he started, "on your personal success. Although I'm not partial to Aurors. Or the Ministry in general, for that matter..." Draco seemed to wander for a moment. "Harry, you of all people must feel particularly strongly about the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of innocent wizards by the Ministry, damning them to torture at the hands of the Dementors in Azkaban." He said this with a grave expression, one that gave Draco a grown-up and even mature air; an air of understanding.

User: potterbynature Date: 2010-02-26 03:58 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Harry despised this pompous ass. He made it perfectly clear to Mandy that he wasn't particularly fond of her friends, but he nevertheless tried his best to be polite to them. He simply couldn't deal with Draco, though. Daphne and Theodore might have no evil proclivities, but Draco was nigh irredeemable. And Harry certainly didn't feel that it was his responsibility to attempt the impossible.

"No, Draco, I don't believe that innocents should be imprisoned or tortured. But I don't know anything about your particular case, so I wouldn't venture a guess as to whether or not you deserved what you got. Of course, we live in a time of war, and sometimes officials make mistakes while acting to protect the public. It's the unfortunate price one pays when one belongs to a terrorist organization, be that by choice or otherwise."

Harry stood and continued, not giving anyone the chance to respond, "Theodore, it was good to see you again. Daphne, thank you for inviting me. Sweetheart, I'll be down the street; take your time."

Before leaving, he added, "I'm sorry that I cannot stay longer, Draco, and listen to your complaints: I'm sure you recall that I've never been a big fan of the Ministry. Unfortunately, money doesn't pull the same sway there anymore. I do suppose you'll have to act, if you want to see change."

Harry walked out of the restaurant. He hadn't intended to leave early, but Draco was simply insufferable. He consoled himself with the thought that he'd gotten in a few good punches. But what he most hoped to get out of the conversation was pressuring Draco into doing something stupid in retaliation to the Ministry... with the hope, of course, that he'd get caught.

User: bronze_raven Date: 2010-02-26 21:43 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Mandy watched this all unfold, speechless. She didn't disagree with most of what came out of Harry's mouth, and Draco was being needlessly nasty. Once he'd left, she stood up as well. "I'll be collecting my boyfriend now. Daphne, Theodore, I certainly hope we can get together again under better circumstances. Draco, best of luck in your potential case against the Ministry. I do hope they at least issue an apology for your mistreatment. Goodbye," she said, smiling and Theodore and Daphne before heading out and after Harry.

"Harry!" she called, jogging to catch up. "I'm so sorry. I really didn't know he'd come, and he was being a complete git."

Daphne looked at Draco coolly but said nothing, instead turning to Theodore. "So unfortunate that you had to see that, Theodore, but I hope it distracted your thoughts from the chaos at Commodities." She was quite worried that somebody important heard that exchange. It would be disastrous for their image.

User: whitepeacock Date: 2010-02-26 22:54 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"He's an idiot," Draco said, half to himself. He was beginning to feel a bit drunk and even more generally hateful than usual. Turning to his wife, Draco gave her a cold look in return.

"I do hope next time you intend to meet with such riffraff you don't bother inviting me." He wasn't trying to be mean to Daphne per se, but the entire situation was all a bit much for him.

User: slygreengrass Date: 2010-02-26 23:26 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"Honestly, Draco, sometimes I think you don't actually want to win your case against the Ministry. Now, do be quiet as we're still in public and I'd like not to make the Prophet as the couple that offended one of the most famous wizards in the world. We're trying to convice the general public that you're innocent and misunderstood, remember? We both have to put effort into that" she said trying not to sound snippy. Merlin, sometimes she didn't know why she hadn't settled down with someone more maliable.

User: potterbynature Date: 2010-02-27 00:13 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

When harry heard Mandy's voice he stopped and let her catch up. He had expected her to stay longer. He turned to her and said, in a slightly exasperated but not accusing tone, "Look, I'm sorry, I tried. Theodore and Daphne were being very nice, and I appreciate them trying to make me feel welcome in your circle. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in front of them, but I can't handle that... that... prat."

He looked at her with a defeated look. He felt like he really put in some effort and made no headway.

User: bronze_raven Date: 2010-02-27 00:34 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"I know you tried, and you did very well until that pretentious, self-pitying, grudge-clasping git came in. Draco was always a jerk and now he's a drunk with entitlement issues. I don't for a second have any intention of letting him into your presence again. Just, please don't write Daphne off. I'm," Mandy lowered her voice, "I'm not sure she knew what she was getting into. Back in the castle, he didn't seem so.. so- like his father." She took his hand. "So, do you want to get some take-out and a bottle of wine?"

User: nott_involved Date: 2010-02-27 01:04 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Harry smiled. He liked that she was standing up for him and not Draco. "Yeah, that sounds great. Chinese?"

Back at the restaurant, the waitress returned with the food that Daphne had ordered. Without Harry and Mandy, it was far too much for the three of them. "Yes, Daphne, I must say that this has been more amusing than the chaos at the office."

User: slygreengrass Date: 2010-02-27 01:11 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

And with that, Mandy and Harry were off to a far less stressful evening.

Daphne laughed a bit, "Please, Theodore, eat as much as you like. Nothing like dinner with your show." She took a bit off of the plate nearest her.It was really quite good. On another day, she'd have to come back and fully enjoy it. "The chef is quite talented, don't you think?"

User: whitepeacock Date: 2010-02-27 05:02 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Draco was still drinking, and noticed the food rather late. Even so, he was hungry; he was still in the process of completely recovering from his time in prison, which required eating rather richly. It bothered him that Theo was still there, as Draco was feeling a bit of shame toward Daphne at the moment.

He sighed, eating well, but not feeling great about himself at the moment. He hoped Daphne would say something to make him feel a bit less ill at ease.