WHO: Zaida and Narcissa WHAT: Meet up for lunch and shopping WHERE: Somewhere schmancy in Diagon Alley WHEN: October 12, afternoon
Zaida was never the sort of girl who just threw on any old thing, but when she was meeting up with Narcissa she put even more thought into her ensemble than usual. She knew exactly how lucky she was to have the friendship of someone with Narcissa's social ranking: a Black and a Malfoy, and a supporter of all the right causes, who appeared at all the right parties and said all the right things. Being a Zabini and a Spudmore didn't mean much, and Zaida often got into all the right parties thanks only to Narcissa. So, Zaida spent quite some time in front of her mirror that morning, carefully choosing robes that were both fashionable and traditional, flattering but not too sexy; accessorizing with tasteful but expensive jewelry, and twice starting all over again when she thought her chosen ensemble looked like she'd put too much thought into it.
When she finally changed her earrings one last time and declared herself fit for the occasion, she discovered she was running ten minutes late. Snatching up her purse and giving Hex a hasty pat good-bye, she spun on the spot and Disapparated.
Moments later, she was hurrying up to the charming, overpriced cafe where they'd agreed to meet. She spotted Narcissa waiting at an outside table in the autumn sunshine and slid into the chair opposite.
"So sorry I'm late," she said. "I was leaving the house-elf instructions for the day and you know that always takes longer than it should." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, how are you?"