"My appeal?" He sounded incredulous, and rightly so. Of all the houses, his was, at least in his view, the most widely scorned. Perhaps because it was typically tailored to those of a certain blood status. Perhaps because ambition was not considered a tasteful attribute. He, however, saw little wrong with either, and considered it a modern day shame that purity and lofty goals were so frowned upon -- but there were many modern day ideals that did not sit well with his conservative nature, and there were surely more to come.
He sipped his wine and cut a bit of meat onto his fork, which he ate with a healthy enthusiasm he hadn't felt much lately. Good wine choice, he thought, judging it with an almost perfunctory instinct. Full-bodied and rich, a few hints of fruit that were not overpowering. Yes, this went well with Italian food -- or whatever it was the English thought constituted Italian cuisine. His mother would probably have beat her chest at what her son was consuming.
"Lately, I've been perusing the latest edition of An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe in preparation for a school Pansy has been discussing. I'm to teach maths to youngsters several times a week." He felt almost proud at having an influence over children, though part of him was wary of how the Ministry would receive this alternative education, particularly one which catered to several pure blooded parents. "And some tedious law books in which I'm sure you have no interest." His eyes twinkled as he helped himself to another bite.