Draco "I'm not a drama queen!" Malfoy (brightson) wrote in reduxpitch, @ 2016-04-02 20:51:00 |
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Entry tags: | !thread, character: charlotte wood, character: draco malfoy, location: hogsmeade |
WHO: Charlotte Wood & Draco Malfoy
WHAT: The Third Date... also dinner.
WHEN: 2 April 2002, evening
WHERE: fancy-pants restaurant - The Mountain View Inn
RATING: G? No cloak room shenanigans here.
STATUS: closed/complete
The reason for choosing the place hadn’t even been about impressing Lottie at all. He’d only chosen it because he’d heard about it and had just wanted to treat her to a nice dinner - well, that and see her again. Although it wasn’t fancy he’d probably have been just as happy to meet up with Lottie at that greasy diner they went to after the gala, well minus the suit he was currently wearing. Draco had worried she may have said no when he’d almost stuffed things up and couldn’t definitively tell Lottie just how fancy the restaurant was. As it turned out he needn’t have worried. Even though he’d wanted to pick her up Draco agreed with meeting Lottie at the restaurant since he knew she didn’t like side-apparating. So he was waiting out the front of the restaurant so that he could escort her in. It was old-fashioned and though he tried not to be always so chivalrous it was a hard habit to shake. Thankfully he was warm enough in his suit - not that it was at all a particularly cold evening. Draco smiled when he finally saw Lottie approaching. “Hi, you look... great,” he said with a smile as he looked her over, before leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Ready to head in?” -- Lottie was a little late. Not so late that they would lose their reservations, but late enough that she was sure Draco was already at the restaurant. She had gone by the Mountain View to determine exactly how fancy the dress code was, and she was relieved when she learned that it did not require women to wear ball gowns. She still had to go shopping, though. She didn't really have anything in her wardrobe for such a fancy place. She did have plenty of little black dresses, but they didn't feel appropriate. She wore them to work, so they felt too casual or business-y. So, at her sister's encouragement, she purchased a dress she would never, ever wear to work. It wasn't that it was particularly revealing. Yes, it hugged her form more than a lot of the things she wore did, but it came to her knees, and even though her skin showed under the lace, it was all very tasteful. Lottie knew it looked good on her, but as she neared the restaurant, her silver shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders, and her matching heels sounding on the pavement, she started to worry that she was a little underdressed. Spotting Draco, though, with his open collar and no tie, she worried a little less. Not much less, but her nerves definitely calmed down some. "I--wait." She took a deep breath and unwrapped her shawl so he could see the top of her dress. "Is this okay?" -- Draco had been about to offer his arm when Lottie had said to wait so he paused wondering if anything was wrong. He thought she might be nervous or worried, although he couldn’t think of why since they’d had dates before. Well, two of them. And although with the first they had been dressed for the gala they had ended up eating at a greasy diner. Though it was an entirely different matter getting dressed up for a fancy restaurant. “I think you look great,” he said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “And I think it’ll be just fine for the restaurant, but if you’re worried I could lend you my jacket?” -- Lottie turned her face just after he kissed her cheek to brush her lips over his. "Thanks. I was worried it was too revealing, though my sister assures me that it's tasteful." She wrapped her shawl loosely around her shoulders, no longer trying to hide the top of her dress. Brushing the loose lock of hair back towards her ear, she smiled up at Draco. "You look smashing in your jacket. I wouldn't want to ruin what you have going on." She tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and kept the rest of her insecurity to herself. She didn't want to embarrass him. She didn't want to make tongues wag in a nasty way, though the gossips might have something to say about this. Draco Malfoy out with Oliver Wood's sister. She leaned against his side a little. "I'm not sure why I'm so nervous. It's not you. Or maybe it is, but not in a bad way." She blew out her breath and looked up. "Add it to the list of things to discuss once we're at our table?" -- “Thanks? Though I don’t really mind,” he said. “But if you change your mind, the offer is still there.” If he had any idea what she was thinking he’d tell her, in the nicest possible way, that it was silly. He couldn’t see why anyone who made their trade by gossiping would be at all interested in him. Okay, it was a slight lie. But the only reason people would be interested in was still only known by him and no one else. “I’ll do my best not to make you any more nervous then,” he remarked, smiling down at her. Draco opened the doors to the restaurant and lead them inside to wait and be seated. “It’s not a terribly long list yet so I’m sure I’ll remember.” -- As they entered the restaurant, Lottie was sure the maitre d' eyed her dress a little too closely, though his face didn't give anything away. He did tsk when he saw that they were late for their reservations, though it was only by a couple of minutes. "I will answer any of your questions honestly," she promised. "You just have to ask." When they were shown to their table, the host pulled out her chair and pushed it in for her as she sat. He handed Draco the wine list and waited for an order. Lottie smiled politely up at the man and had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from saying anything cheeky. Turning her attention to her date, she leaned closer. "I'm not picky, if that helps." -- Ignoring the way the maitre d' tutted and had been looking at Lottie, lest he snap and say something that would have them evicted before they’d even sat down, Draco turned to reply to Lottie. "Hopefully I can actually think of what to ask then." Draco perused the wine list after being handed it, looking up to ask Lottie what she'd prefer and instead she had beat him to what he'd been about to ask. "Lucky then that I'm not a terribly indecisive man," he remarked. After which he ordered a bottle of red that he had recognised on the list. Not that it was his intention for either of them to get drunk but if they were going to be enjoying dinner and their time in the restaurant then one glass of wine hardly seemed right. “I hope though that you’re a little more discerning when it comes to meals?” he asked, watching a moment as the waiter went to get the wine. “I don’t think I’ve picked up yet what it is you like and don’t like to eat.” -- Smiling teasingly, Lottie propped her elbows on the table and rest her chin on on her folded hands. "Actually, I've never been a particularly picky eater. There are things I don't like, but, for the most part, I'll try everything twice--Once to see if I like it, and a second time to make sure I actually don't." She wasn't trying to make things difficult for Draco. Lottie didn't expect him to choose her food for her, though she was probably supposed to let him. Glancing at her menu and decided on the first thing she saw. "The chicken penne," she said so only he could hear her, "with the salad." Grinning, she looked up at Draco. "In case they make it clear you're supposed to order." She didn't know how these place worked, but it seemed very posh and proper, even for an inn in Scotland, and that wasn't what she was used to. Her family had always been well off, but she didn't have very rich tastes. "Tell me, Draco. Were you a picky eater as a child?" -- “Adventurous. Well, there are some things I won’t try eating mostly because it just doesn’t sound appetising.” Everyone had different tastes, so he knew Lottie wasn’t trying to be difficult at all. Then there was the possibility you just didn’t know what you were in the mood for, even if you could spot a few favourite foods on the menu. Draco nodded his thanks and grinned. “Saves me from looking like an idiot who doesn’t know what his date likes.” Although he’d eaten at restaurants before, Draco couldn’t remember eating at one as fancy as this at any time that might be considered recent. The last time he could remember was before he’d even gone to Hogwarts and his meals had been chosen for him. Working odd hours at St. Mungo’s and there always being the chance that he’d be called in meant he usually asked the house-elves in the Manor’s kitchen for a quick meal or stop off at The Leaky for a quick bite. “Pumpkin. Couldn’t stand them when I was younger or pumpkin juice,” he said, chuckling at an old memory. “My father was the unfortunate recipient of finding that out one evening when he ended up with mashed pumpkin in his hair. It probably didn’t help that my mother was more delighted by the fact that I turned out to have magic after all.” The waiter returned after a while with the bottle of red and poured two glasses, leaving the bottle to sit in the middle of the table, before looking at Draco expectantly and asking if he could take their order. Draco ordered a risotto starter for them both, before ordering the chicken penne with salad for Lottie and a steak with roasted vegetables for himself. After the waiter had left he clinked his glass against Lottie’s toasting to a good evening whatever happened “I know you said you weren’t picky, but you don’t mind risotto do you?” he asked afterwards, before taking a sip of the wine. “Anyway, what about you? Any interesting childhood stories?” -- "What if you don't know what it is you're trying?" Her grin was mischievous, but her question was mostly innocent. "We could make a game of it. Not here, or now, but another night? We can both make lists of things we've never tried, then we'll swap the lists and make blind tastes for each other. We'll steer clear of anything that seems morally wrong to eat, though." It could be their fourth date, if he wasn't getting bored with her. "I make, if I do say so myself, a very good pumpkin bread." Lottie rolled her eyes, though not at him. "It's an antiquated practice anyway, and one that only seems to continue in places like this." She sipped her water. "Though, it is nice. Sometimes." She wasn't one of those women who sneered at a man holding a door for her or paying for a meal. She liked chivalry and small acts of kindness that were done for the sake of kindness and not for a reward. After the wine was poured and the food was ordered, Lottie felt nervous again. Her stomach fluttered as their glasses chimed, and she sipped her wine. She wished they were sitting closer, and she felt suddenly warm, despite her bare shoulders. She wanted to touch him, but she knew if she leaned forward any further, she'd be giving more than Draco a little peek. So she crossed her legs under the table and let her foot rest against his calf. "Plenty," she replied. "I could tell you about how I gained a fear of heights, or you can ask me anything you want to know." -- “Well, I suppose I wouldn’t be able to complain about it not sounding appetising,” he chuckled. “An interesting proposition. Though if we do, can we both agree to not include anything like snails? Because they really aren’t appetising, no matter what the French say.” Draco could say that with complete honesty having been made to at least try them, and frogs legs, on a trip to France one time. It wasn’t something he cared to repeat any time soon. “Though the pumpkin bread sounds nice, and I promise none of it will end up in your hair.” He nodded in agreement. It was something he was used to given the way he was brought up. However, he didn’t mind ladies speaking for themselves in such a situation either - after all when nobody knew their minds better than themselves, why shouldn’t they be asked, regardless of whether they were on a date or not. “I don’t mind either way. Though as I mentioned it saves me from looking like an idiot or feeling guilty because I happened to order the wrong thing.” Draco was sipping at his wine, when he felt Lottie’s foot against his calf, and coughed a little as it went down the wrong way in surprise. He took a few quick calming breaths before returning his gaze to Lottie with a raised eyebrow. He thought for a moment and finally settled on what he wanted to ask. “You mentioned older siblings at the charity gala but that the story was somewhat convoluted. I’m a little curious since I’m an only child. So how about that?” -- Pulling a disgusted face, Lottie shook her head. "No. We'll steer clear of things like that. No chocolate covered crickets or anything that was once a creepy crawly." She laughed. "I appreciate that. Pumpkin bread is not exactly the sexiest food to wear." It took a moment for her to hear what she said, and she blushed at her lack of filter. She felt bad when he choked, but she didn't move her foot. She didn't offer him an explanation. She didn't really acknowledge that her foot rest against his leg except to apply a very light pressure and smile like she had a secret. After taking a sip of wine, Lottie leaned back in her chair without slouching. "I have two older siblings from my father's first marriage. Ronnie's twelve years older and Anthony is ten years older. He and my mam have four. My younger brother is twenty four and my younger sister is nineteen. That's the easy part." She took a deep breath. "I'll be twenty six at the end of August. Oliver will be twenty seven in December. I was conceived about ten days after he was born, which is very rare but very possible. I was born three weeks early, which put us in the same year at school, because I'm not quite nine months younger than he is." She let out a breathy laugh. "And that's why it's convoluted." -- “Is there actually any food that’s sexy to wear?” He asked teasingly. Draco didn’t ask for her to stop that, though he did send Lottie a silent look as if to say he knew what she was doing. Draco chuckled goodnaturedly. “You really weren’t kidding about the convoluted part. Still it must be nice having brothers and sisters or is it something that’s both good and bad?” He hadn’t been entirely sure how to word the question, since he had no experience to compare it to. Unfortunately, despite his parents best wishes they’d had such a time trying to conceive him that the Healers thought it’d be nigh impossible for it to happen again. “I think my mother would’ve liked if I’d had siblings, certainly if she’d have been able to have a daughter But she… well, the Healers suggested it likely wouldn’t happen.” -- Catching her lower lip between her teeth, she nodded slowly. "Mmhmmm. Chocolate sauce. Whipped cream. It's all a question of what's sweet and fun to l--" She trailed off when the waiter brought their risotto. She was a little disappointed she didn't get to finish that though, but it was probably a good thing it was interrupted. Lottie did not want to put any sort of pressure or expectation on Draco. They were having dinner. She enjoyed his company. There was absolutely no reason to rush anything. "It's good and bad, but, at the end of the day, I don't know what I would do without them." It was the nature of families, even close-knit ones like hers, to have fights and arguments. But it was a true testiment of how much they cared that they still loved each other even during those tiffs. "I'm sorry for your mother. I can only imagine how difficult hearing that kind of news would be." She took a small bite of the risotto. "Did they ever consider adoption?" -- Draco sent a raised eyebrow in Lottie’s direction. Despite the waiter’s arrival prompting Lottie to trail off he had what he assumed was a fairly good idea of what it was she’d been about to say. Though he may well have been wrong, even so it certainly did conjure up more than one interesting image. He could understand that. Though he might not have the experience of growing up with any siblings he did spend seven years and had made friends that he might not always get along with but also didn’t know what he’d do without. Of course, he’d never actually verbally or physically express that to the people in question. “Thank you,” he said quietly,idly running his fork through the risotto before trying a mouthful. “I’m not sure... it’s not exactly something that’s ever come up in conversation, and I get the feeling my father probably wouldn’t have considered it.” -- Lottie wasn't sure if she was allowed to ask him about his father. She wanted to. She was curious why adoption wasn't an option, but she was also aware that it was a very personal matter and choice. "I know you said you chose pediatrics because it felt right when you did those rounds, but do you think it might have something to do with your hidden desire to be an older brother?" She smiled teasingly. "Or maybe your subconscious wants to give in to your mother's demands for grandchildren, and you're hoping to get as much practice as possible before you have kids of your own." Resting her fork on the side of the plate, she leaned towards Draco. "Do you want a large family, or just a couple?" -- His father wasn’t exactly a forbidden topic but neither was it one he ever particularly liked talking about. As for his father adopting, he couldn’t see it happening because no matter how progressive he might seem in business dealings he still held onto ‘traditions’ - which meant unless the baby in question happened to be pureblood than he likely wouldn’t accept adoption as a means of having another child. “Hmm, perhaps? At least maybe subconsciously.” Draco chuckled. “Now I’m fairly sure that’s not likely to be the reason. I’ve no doubt my mother would like to think of it that way. Though I’m also pretty certain she’d rather I give her grandchildren rather than continuing to ‘practice’ before doing so.” “I’ve never really thought about it to be honest. Though to to answer the question, I suppose at least two?” he replied. “I don’t think I’d want any possible children I may have having to grow up an only child. What about you? Do you want a large one like you grew up with or something smaller?” -- "I want at least two, and fairly close in age, but not as close as me and Oliver. Fourteen months at the closest." She couldn't believe they were having this conversation. Wasn't it the cliche that this conversation was supposed to make men panic, especially when it happened this early. Not that Lottie was thinking that this date would lead to marriage and babies. She still didn't really know Draco well, yet here they were, discussing children. Yes, it was in general terms, but her brain kept telling her it was too soon to even think about let alone discuss over risotto. "Whatever future family I have, I want them to be close, like mine." -- Draco wasn’t entirely sure why they were having this conversation either. Even he was surprised he hadn’t tried changing the conversation around yet especially when his father had been mentioned, which was usually a surefire way to get any conversation with him to stop. Yet it hadn’t. The only other time he’d ever discussed having children with someone had been a one-sided chat from his mother expressing her wish for grandchildren at some point. With their risotto finished and the plates taken away their main meals were brought out. The meal was eaten being interspersed with conversation that happily was not related to the matter of children, unless you counted Draco talking about his work at St. Mungo’s. At the end of the meal Draco topped up their wine glasses whilst they waited for the waiter to return for their dessert order. “Hmm, do you think the waiter will ask me or you what it is you want for dessert?” he asked, sipping at his wine. -- After the conversation shifted, and she had at least two glasses of wine in her, Lottie had relaxed enough to thoroughly enjoy the meal. Not that she wouldn't have without the wine, she just felt wound tight. The moon had been over a week ago. She wasn't still feeling it's effects, so she couldn't blame that. She wished she knew what was going on with her. Lottie laughed and leaned back in her seat. "I'm not sure, but I don't think I can handle a dessert on my own." Her dress felt a little tight around her ribs, but she tried to angle herself in a way that it wasn't obvious. She wasn't afraid of Draco seeing her eat. That was silly, and she always shook her head at the women who subject themselves to salads on dates because they don't want the man they're with to know they like steak. "We don't have to have dessert here. We could walk a bit? Maybe get something if we find a shop that's still open." She smiled. "Or I'm pretty sure I have ice cream at home." -- “Do you know I was actually going to ask if you wanted to do something like that instead of eating here,” he replied with a smile. “Don’t know why I didn’t. But I thought if we walked for a bit we might manage to make room for dessert. Right now I’m not sure I’d manage to fit any in without feeling ill.” Draco swirled the last of his wine around the glass before drinking it. He wasn’t feeling much of a buzz either from the wine. But then it would usually taking drinking a whole bottle on his own for him to get drunk off of wine.“So I wouldn’t mind leaving for a bit of a walk and having dessert elsewhere, if that’s what you want to do as well.” -- Lottie smiled sweetly at Draco. "The weather's nice, and, honestly, I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing than strolling along, holding your hand." After their server returned, and their bill was settled, she led Draco outside. She wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and turned to look up at him. Smiling, she went up on her toes, bracing herself with a hand on his shoulder, she kissed his cheek. "Thank you for dinner." |