InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "You smote my muffin!"

demelza! (quixotically) wrote in contentious,
@ 2008-11-23 03:56:00

WHO: Demelza Robins, Theodore Nott
WHERE: St. Mungo's Charity Ball
WHEN: 22nd November, 2001
WHAT: After the auctions are over
RATING: TBD
WARNINGS: -
STATUS: Semi-private, ping to join.

The man who'd won a date with Demelza Robins was not really her type. He was nervous and stuttered a little bit, which won her sympathy, yes. But not her attraction. Especially considering he was about fourty years old, and that was just creeping her out. She had to console herself with the fact that she'd done her part to raise money and she hadn't really been holding up any romantic notions with this whole affair anyway. She wasn't the sort of girl who assumed or hoped for someone dashing to sweep her off her feet anyway. To be honest, she didn't want all of that just yet. Falling in love was a strange prospect and something, she'd figured, that would be permanent. And after falling in love with Cormac McLaggen under the influence of a love potion, she only felt all the more justified in her approach to 'love'. There was no way she wanted to do that again anytime soon.

But all that aside, the gentleman did seem nice. But no, her family and friends would not have to concern themselves over what may or may not occur on this date. Even if he was interesting, there was no way in hell she was going to continue seeing him. Yes, Demelza was setting up a limit.

As their arrangements for the actual date itself came to a close, he took the end of their conversation as an opportune moment to ask for a dance. And Demelza didn't have the heart to refuse it, seeing as he'd asked so polietly. And really, she had no real grounds for objecting. Malcolm wouldn't mind, she knew that.

Deep breath. Step towards him. One hand to his shoulder just as his made gentle contact with her waist. Fake smile. Ergh. If she was lucky, someone would cut in. Or the song would be a very short one. She could deal with a couple of minutes of this, right? Right.

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mrnott
2008-11-29 10:48 am UTC (link)

When Theodore first spotted Demelza and her new, creepy friend, he was otherwise preoccupied on the dancefloor. The previous song was ending and Demelza was being led towards the middle of the room by her auction winner, who happened to be making a particularly ecstatic expression. Likely because he had just won the company of someone completely out of his league and age range. The sight of it all made Theodore physically uncomfortable. It was a protective sort of reaction, he knew. Demelza was too sickeningly nice for her own good, and not even for personal benefit. Who behaved like that? Theodore was under the impression that most niceties were preformed for self-gain. Nothing good could come from this dance. Besides, this man had only paid for her company for one night. Demelza wasn't obligated to even acknowledge his existence at the moment.

When a new song began to start up, Theodore met the eyes of his date and jerked his head in the direction of Demelza. He winced. "Excuse me for a moment. I cannot watch that," Theodore explained simply, hoping she'd understand. Romilda and Demelza were friends, after all, and the situation was painful. Not to mention, Romilda knew enough people at this party to find company elsewhere for a moment. She struck Theodore as the easy going, self-confident people-person anyway.

Squeezing Romilda's hand as he moved away from her, he offered her a smile before slipping through the crowd of dancing couples and coming to step behind Demelza's latest admirer. After taking a moment to glare very maturely at the back of the creepy bastard's head, Theodore lifted his hand and tapped firmly on the man's shoulder. He met Demelza's eyes momentarily when the man half-turned towards him, but his attention soon focused on the individual he was attempting to send off. "Mind if I cut in?" Theodore asked, lifting his eyebrows and not smiling. He knew it wasn't acceptable to be terribly rude to the old bugger, so he attempted at silent intimidation. This man didn't look terribly tough, after all, and Theodore could deliver an icy stare like the best of them. "If Demelza doesn't mind, of course."

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quixotically
2008-11-29 07:16 pm UTC (link)

Concentrating on not looking at Simon as they slow danced, Demelza kept her eyes fixed on just about anything and everyone else, including the sight of Romilda and Theodore. She encountered a brief, nonsensical irritation as she watched them dance - and surprised at this, flickered her gaze away. She didn't like the feeling. And what was it to her what either of them were doing, anyway? They seemed to be having a good time, and he was dancing - so, really. She ought to pleased for them.

Or maybe she was just annoyed because, like most people, she coveted the ease with which they seemed to be enjoying right now. Simon was not making her feel comfortable. She was stiff dancing with him, and only occasionally looking up at him and smiling briefly and without genuine as some form of reassurance. After all, he'd done nothing to her that called for her to be rude to him, and she'd feel horrible if she was.

So she was going to put up with it.

This entire internal thought process had distracted her from her environment, and so, she didn't even see Theodore cross the dance floor until she was suddenly confronted with the image of him glaring at her. Or was it Simon? Or... Confusion drew across her features until he tapped on his shoulder and asked to cut in. The dancing halted. Demelza didn't think she'd felt more relieved before all night.

"I suppose I, uh, don't mind," Simon returned, a hint of disappointment in his voice, before he suddenly realised he'd be spending an entire evening with the girl next week. This young lad seemed the unpleasant sort, though. What with his icy, silent ways. Simon had been expecting familial reactions - but this little upstart wasn't related to Demelza. He knew that. He'd checked beforehand. And he also knew that it wasn't The Boyfriend either, because he'd read something in the Quidditch Weekly that he was positive had indicated Demelza as still single. "If she doesn't mind," he agreed.

"I don't mind," the girl in question chipped in. "Perhaps I'll see you a little later, yes?" Please take the hint, she thought a little desperately. Please just go.

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mrnott
2008-11-30 07:36 pm UTC (link)

Theodore stiffened when Simon patted his back as he stepped out of the way, forcing himself to look back in the older man's eyes just in time to catch his expression. Although he was sure he was reading it in the worst way possible, Theodore hated the way that Simon was smiling at him. It was as though he was wishing Theo good luck, or simply looking beyond pleased because he bought his way into Demelza's life for a night. "You can have her for now," the man announced, his joke forcing Theo's nose to wrinkle in mild disgust. What a sad person this was.

"Right," Theodore spoke once the man was out of earshot, throwing a glance over his shoulder before stepping in and collecting Demelza's hand. It felt a little weird to be touching Demelza so much, especially considering the fact that it was currently socially appropriate and her band of protectors couldn't call him on it. It was almost liberating, actually. He sincerely hoped that they were watching. He held her palm and slipped his free hand around her waist, pausing a moment before starting to move to the music as he leaned in to speak to her. "You owe me one, Robins. Send me a few boxes of those colourful muggle candies, and we're even."

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	quixotically 2008-11-30 07:59 pm UTC (link)
	"You want payment in smarties and did you just call me Robins?" she demanded a little incredulously. That whole exchange prior was weird and she wasn't amused - but at least she was dancing with someone she could stand. She relaxed inspite of herself and looked up at him with a small smile. "Where shall I have them directed, Nott? All over your hair, again?" (Reply to this) (Parent)