To post at ![[info]](https://www.scribbld.com/img/community.gif)
riddikulus
Characters: Justin Finch-Fletchley & Family
Setting: Friday. December 18, 1997. Dinner. House of Finch-Fletchley
Summary: Justin has an official one on one conversation with the family since being back.
The family had all arrived and were settling into their usual seats at their large dining table. Mr. William Finch-Fletchley at the head. His wife, Elise, and daughter, Daniela, to his right and his son's Russel and Justin to his left. It was a rare occasion that the family could come together for a meal. A rare occasion indeed when a guest wasn't also present. It was a long awaited family gathering that Justin Finch-Fletchley had been hoping would never come.
It wasn't that the muggleborn wizard didn't like being with his family. He adored them, he really did. It was just he already anticipated the conversation that was bound to come up. It was a topic that was increasing in frequency now that he was in his last year of school - and frankly...he was tired of it. After failing miserably at that Cure-Breaking apprenticeship Justin Finch-Fletchley had a battered sense of assurance in where his future would lead after Hogwarts.
As the two kitchen staff members completed their service of the mushroom soup the conversation of Mrs. Finch-Fletchley's latest gossip involving her choice to assist Mrs. Hermon with her Christmas party this year was obviously ending.
"I just told Martha not to worry about it," the woman shrugged. "No one will notice if the tree is a foot shorter than it was two years ago. I mean honestly."
"Well," twelve year old Daniela chimed in. "It's still going to be obvious that our tree was much better last year."
"Our tree is always better," Russel Finch-Fletchley offered with a snort. "It's just something they'll have to get used to."
"Oh don't be like that," the mother of the table scolded. "Even if it is true it's not polite to brag at the dinner table."
A small collective chuckle left each one present.
Justin had tentatively tasted the soup in his bowl when his father, William, started. "So Justin, my boy, your mother tells me you didn't get that apprenticeship you'd been working for. What hapened?"
"Someone beat me to it," Justin shrugged obviously not wanting to elaborate.
"Well that's too bad," William replied. "Next time you'll have to work a little harder."
"Yes, sir," the Hufflepuff nodded.
"I take it you'll at least be looking into other careers now, then?"
"I-" Justin started but was quickly cut off.
"Well Justin shouldn't let this little bump in the road steer him from his goal," Elise Finch-Fletchley pointed out. "He's not a quitter. Are you dear?"
"No ma'am," the wizard offered his mother a thankful grin.
"What exactly was the apprenticeship for?" Daniella asked. "Was there magic involved?"
"Er...yeah," Justin nodded still getting used to the fact that his kid sister had been let in on the family secret the summer prior. "It was a cursebreaking job for a private group. Cursebreakers go in to ancient places and figure out magical booby traps and riddles and things to find treassures and document history. This group that was offering the apprenticeship was in Rome right now working on some ancient tomb."
"So their grave robbers?" Russel asked obviously a bit disgusted by the thought.
"No," the younger son defended, "they were commisioned by the Italian Minister - it's entirely legitimate."
"Well isn't that exciting?" Elise asked.
"It's typical," William offered. "That a government would encourage something like that. I take it the public doesn't know?"
Justin hesitated a moment, "I...don't know exactly."
- William pushes the "What are you doing after school?" question and keeps suggesting the military.
- Russel agree's with the military option...or at least going to muggle university.
- Elise plays referee and reminds William that Justin can do anything he pleases.
- Daniela tries to help change the subject by asking if Justin's got a girlfriend? o~o~o~o~o~o Characters: Justin Finch-Fletchley & muggle company
Setting: Christmas Eve. Hermon Christmas Party.
Summary: Justin has some long awaited male bonding with his muggle mates, Alexander and Frank.
- They talk about the girls at the party.
- They discuss their futures.
- They then talk about the trip to Berchtesgaden and their expectations.
