Florence Rosier (italyrose) wrote in an_ill_wind, @ 2009-07-24 20:36:00 |
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Entry tags: | - 1980/07 july, florence rosier, rabastan lestrange |
Who: Florence and Rabastan
What: Surprise picnic!
When: 24 July, 1980
Where: Kensington Gardens
Rating: PG
Status: Completed log
Florence was in a better mood than the last time she'd seen Rabastan in person. Then again, she'd had nearly a week to cool off and think rationally. Yes, this situation was not entirely his doing. She had been on the defensive after Miss Hurtz's comments, and the slightest suggestion that she would take advantage of Rabastan's absence had been the final straw. She'd accepted his apology (even if she hadn't said so much aloud) but she wanted Rabastan to prove just how much he trusted her before she truly forgave him.
This morning had been a start. They'd gone to Saenger's, an affluent German wizard with a music shop in Kensington, London. Florence had taken the time to answer any questions Rabastan might have had concerning the instruments in the shop. She'd even lifted the lid of a baby grand piano to show him the strings inside that produced sound, the similarity between piano and harp.
She'd talked to Saenger and learned the name of a tutor who could help her master the harp, and selected a fine rosewood harp, to be delivered to her home in Chelsea. Now, for phase two of her devious plan.
She walked beside Rabastan. It wasn't a long walk from Saenger's to her destination. "He's an absolutely incredible artist," she continued. Florence had been telling Rabastan about a visiting wizard from Vienna who had a concert in London this afternoon. "I played with him once, in Rome."
Rabastan had decided to wear loose forest green robes today. He had grown steadily tired of all those bloody suits that were the standard apparel for negotiations. Surprisingly, he had been looking forward to this adventure all week and had actually enjoyed the stop in the music shop. Rabbit had never dreamed there was so much variety to musical instruments and now he realized the similarity of harps and pianos. Although he was unsure how to slip that into conversation with anyone in the future so he supposed he should just file the information away for some rainy day.
Surprisingly, the harp had not broken the bank and Rabbit deduced he probably could purchase at least seven more on his usual commission from his uncle. Not that he wanted to start an orchestra, but it was helpful to know that he had more than enough money to buy Italy whatever she wanted. He had absolutely no idea what it would take to fully apologize and if gifts sped them along, then he was all the better for it. Thank Merlin for expendable Galleons. He had plenty of them that he would never use or even see, of that he was sure.
Hearing her speak of the visiting wizard musician, he responded excitedly, "When did you play with him in Rome?" Unfortunately he was looking directly at her when he asked the question because at that moment, he collided with a wooden cart. Rabbit apologized profusely for his lack of awareness while handing a few items back to the person manning the cart. While walking away, he raised his hands in mock surrender and remarked. "They were in the middle of the bloody path. What was I supposed to do?"
"It was--" Florence began, but was cut short by Rabastan's encounter with the cart. She laughed shortly to herself, stopping before she hoped he noticed. It took an effort to conceal her smile as he apologized and corrected the trouble. She kept part of her attention on Rabastan as they continued down the street.
"You could watch where you're going," she suggested slyly. Shaking her head, Florence steered their conversation back to the Austrian wizard. "And it was three years ago. Not that we played together, mind you," she clarified. "But it was the same concert."
"As opposed to watching you, I take it? You're a far more dazzling sight than these storefronts," Rabastan brushed the dust and dirt off his robes. He could not believe he had been so captivated by her that he had taken his eyes off the road. Thankfully he never would have to worry about her being there during one of his missions for the Dark Lord. He likely would get hexed or hurt and would no doubt face His fiery wrath either way.
Now his eyes took in all the surroundings. At the least, he could watch for suspicious people. "So how young were you when you started playing music then?" he asked curiously as they walked. Rabastan could not remember if she had ever told him but he was pretty sure it started before she had started school. "Didn't you have recitals before you graduated from Hogwarts?" He seemed to remember hearing her talk in the common room about it.
Florence laughed lightly. "Yes, but I think safety takes precedence over beauty." She saw no reason to be modest around Rabastan. He complimented her frequently enough that he shouldn't expect any modesty. Besides, she found herself more assertive while she could still hold their latest argument over his head. It was delightful when no one dared to argue with her.
"I was five," she said, remembering the first time she had sat by her mother's side at the grand piano. "Seven, when I began the violin," she amended. She could remember the first time she held a violin in her hands, too. It made her smile, something more genuine than she usually shared with others. She only nodded in response to his other question. Of course she'd had recitals. They were less frequent after she started at Hogwarts, but Mother had enjoyed showing off her talent when she was still learning.
"Have you ever been to Kensington Gardens?" Florence inquired, indicating the park that was now only a block or two ahead of them.
Rabbit listened to her as she explained the order in which she learned various instruments. She spoke with such passion and he just happened look down at her when she smiled. He could not recall the last time he had actually seen her genuinely smile.
"Kensington Gardens...," he trailed off trying to wrack his memories. "Yeah, but it has been at least twenty years. I think I was almost five at the time. Seems like Mum and I met Aunt Ophelia and Andrew. Madeline was probably there too. So I really don't remember anything past that it was large and green and a garden..." He probably sounded like a fool but he didn't really care.
Florence nodded, not entirely surprised. The Lestrange family estate was in Norfolk, after all. They probably had their own gardens on the estate. Chelsea neighbored Kensington, so she had visited the park on more than one occasion. "It's beautiful," she remarked. "Well, it's better in the spring. But in the summer, there are concerts at the bandstand." And if Rabastan hadn't been to the park in two decades, he would never know if she was leading him in the direction of the bandstand or not.
"I have actually been to more gardens overseas than I have visited here at home. Last year I visited the ones at Versailles. Although the original owners were Muggles, I have to give them credit. I found them exceptional," Rabastan added. He didn't need her to think he had absolutely no culture in his life. The deck seemed to be stacked against them already considering their significant differences in interests and such. Stopping the thought there before he felt more depressed about his life, he asked, "So are there concerts today?"
"Versailles is beautiful." When it came to classic art, Florence didn't judge based on magical lineage. Though, much of that had to do with the fact that there simply wasn't enough evidence as to whether or not many of those artists were or were not wizards. She nodded in response to his question. "In fact," she remarked, glancing at her watch as they crossed the street and entered the park, "there's a concert in fifteen minutes."
"So who is playing today?" Rabastan queried curiously. "Anyone famous or just some local talent?" To their left, Rabbit spotted two statues with crowns, presumably Muggle monarchs and on the right, there was a metallic object from which a kid appeared to be drinking water.
"Local talent," she replied. She hadn't honestly paid any attention to who was performing this afternoon. If Rabastan behaved himself, Florence had no intention of actually taking him there. Not that she would mind, but concerts in the park usually meant crowds of standing room only, and she did not enjoy standing in a crowd. "Care to take in a show?" She stopped on the path, stepping to the side to avoid others who were walking through the park, waiting patiently for his response.
"That would be fine," Rabbit nodded at her query. He had the whole of the day to spend with her until he planned on meeting up with Danny in Ipswich. It had been far too long since the two best mates had spent any time together and Rabbit felt ashamed for suspecting his best mate of trying anything with his girl. Danny never would do that and he had assured him of that as had Alecto after speaking with Danny. Pointing in the direction of the crowd, he asked, "Where do you want to sit?"
Florence's lips turned up into a smile. "This way," she said, and led the way down the path, looking behind on occasion to make sure he was keeping up with her. They reached a fork in the path. The right path led to the bandstand, where a crowd was already gathering. The left path led to an open field in the middle of the park. She paused only briefly, looking back at Rabastan, then continued down the path to the left.
Rabbit followed her down the path and had been scoping out the crowd for the best place to sit among the throng. Nearly missing her decision to take the left path, he turned quickly and stepped into a shallow creek. Up to his ankles, Rabbit swore creatively. He knew for a fact that Italy would be frustrated with him again but he had not expected to step in the bloody stream. Stepping out of the pond, he quickly cast a drying charm on his robe and shoes and said, "I cannot stay out of trouble when I am with you, can I?"
"Language, Bastan!" she scolded. Florence might have found it almost amusing that he'd mis-stepped, had he not sworn. But, really, she had misled him intentionally. "And you were doing so well," she teased, waiting for him before she continued down the path. "Come now. We want to find good seats."
"Sometimes language is necessary to get your point across," Rabbit added firmly. "However, I should watch who I use such talk around as you have expressed your displeasure with me on two separate occasions. I will make an effort to avoid such language in the future around you. Is that better?" Meeting up with her in the road, he followed alongside her down the lane.
"Much better." If Rabastan were paying any attention at all, however, he would soon realize that this path led them further and further from the bandstand. She didn't say anything until they reached the path dissolved as they reached the edge of an open field. There weren't many people to be found in this area, and after looking around carefully, Florence conjured up a blanket and set it beneath the shade of a tree. Pulling her feet below her as she sat, she gestured for Rabastan to join her on the blanket. In the distance, she could hear the first chords as the concert began.
Rabbit glanced in the direction where the music had started. "So these must be the cheapest seats in the park for the concert, eh?" Apparently Italy had some ulterior motives today although that was not a new phenomenon by any means. "Did you somehow hide a picnic lunch from me on the way out here?" His spirits had lifted when he spotted barely anyone in the field. Perhaps they could have some fun later although he knew he should not push his luck today.
Florence raised her eyebrow, not entirely amused by his remark. "We can find something closer, if you like," she replied, an almost threatening tone in her voice. This was a reward, and she could certainly revoke it if she chose.
"I would rather sit out here personally. The view is exquisite with all the flowering plants and wildlife," Rabbit admitted. Apparently she could not take a joke today. That had been his initial intent.
Florence smiled, appeased by his correction. Once more making sure she acted without prying muggle eyes watching them, she drew her wand and conjured the picnic basket she'd had the house elves prepare before she met Rabastan in the morning. Inside was a bottle of wine and two glasses, as well as various finger foods. Small sandwiches, cheeses, chicken, fruit... she hadn't been sure what Rabastan would like, so she'd instructed the elves to include her favorite picnic items and anything else that would be appropriate.
"You see what happens when you behave?"