RP: Second Time's the Charm Date & Time: 18 December 1998 Post Type: RP Open To: Private-ish Character(s): Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbott Location: Hogsmeade Summary: A second, less formal, date. Once they find a place to eat, that is.
"Table for t-- What's that, may I ask?" Ernie inquired despite knowing perfectly well it was a poster of known Death Eaters. Those who were still alive, or presumed alive, whether pardoned, incarcerated, or at large. It was the inclusion of those pardoned that bothered Ernie's sense of justice.
The man eyed him suspiciously, especially the scar on his head. Ernie didn't say a word. He squeezed Hannah's hand, hoping she understood he was waiting for an answer. "We don't serve Death Eaters here."
"I see. Is the poster so you can identify those that escaped and contact the Aurors?" Ernie asked politely although his face was the same sort of stony look he had adopted in the Carrows classes.
"That an' to keep out the Death Eater scum. We're a family establishment. We don't hold with that sort of thing here." The young blond in poster behind the podium glared at Ernie. Typical. Malfoy certainly wouldn't be a fan of what Ernie was about to do. Malfoy had never been much for doing the right thing himself, so that probably meant it was the right thing to say.
Ernie looked from the image of Draco Malfoy to the host one more time, nodding to himself. Right then. "I'm afraid there's an error on your poster, sir. The young blond is a classmate of mine. He's been pardoned by the Ministry."
"If you're in league with them, you're not wanted here either," the man hissed, eying Ernie's arm.
"I fought in defense of Hogwarts but I can't say I remember seeing you at the castle," actually Ernie couldn't remember much of the battle at all after having a wall dropped on him. It was a guess considering this restaurant was new to Hogsmeade. "What was your role during the war, sir? I hope you didn't spend it in Azkaban?"
"I'm not Mu--gle-born. I think--"
"I think we should leave. I think everyone should leave. I didn't fight in a war to patronize businesses who hide their bigotry behind the guise of protecting families. That's too much like what Voldemort," Ernie was pleased to see the man cringe, "tried to do with the Ministry and all those stealing magic lies. Come on, Hannah. Let's go elsewhere." They left and the couple behind them left too, chatting and looking at Ernie curiously. It probably wouldn't change a thing, but he felt better for having said it. People needed to heal and they couldn't do that if they kept picking at the wounds instead of finding ways to move past the hurts and work together.
He was lost in his thoughts for a few steps before remembering he was on a date. "I'm sorry, Hannah. That sort of thing burns me. I wanted to take you somewhere less stuffy than last week. I had no idea that place was like that." He'd check out places before bringing her from now on, he told himself. "The Three Broomsticks is more informal than I had in mind but will it do?" He'd really not enjoyed Madam Puddifoot's very much and it wasn't much of a dinner establishment anyway.