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Post by ginnyrules27 on Mar 31, 2013 20:17:29 GMT -5
Sipping on the water, August paid close attention to the conversation. Though he did have the unfortunate timing of taking a sip of water while hearing the words 'odd preferences' in reference to goblins.
Coughing softly as he wiped the water from his lips, he tried to not let the embarrassment of doing something so obviously muggle show on his face. He only hoped he hadn't gotten any water on John or the young woman in front of them.
Reporters, especially young reporters, would do anything to get their careers in gear.
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Post by Nahara46 on Mar 31, 2013 20:29:05 GMT -5
"Oh, I assure you I have plenty of experience with Politicians. They always prove to be some of the best company." Vaguely, Gisele glanced toward August, amused by his reaction. However, she was even more so amused by how oblivious John was to her implications.
"My own preferences are wide, I can be quite flexible if need be." She grinned at her own obvious innuendo. "My line of work can find me in the most peculiar position, though I always manage to make it work- after all, Trouble is my middle name."
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Post by G. Novella on Mar 31, 2013 21:08:31 GMT -5
This time, John caught on to her innuendo, and stepped back, his eyes wide and startled. Youngsters these days were so forward! He straightened his collar, stiffening again as he glanced at this Ivy woman, unsure of how to best to respond without returning any form of innuendo.
"I see," said John simply, exchanging a look with August. He wondered how the older man felt about such a forward young woman, "I'm surprised a young woman like you runs into many politicians, but I suppose reporters have a knack for finding the scoop. I was never one for politics, and yet I ended up in the ministry. Why didn't you pursue a career in politics? I'm sure a smart woman like yourself can rise quickly in the ranks. Trouble and politics are synonymous after all."
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Post by ginnyrules27 on Mar 31, 2013 21:13:56 GMT -5
Catching John's eye, August couldn't believe this woman. Didn't her parents teach her any etiquette? To be so forward....
"I wouldn't say all politicians are trouble," August spoke up, lightly teasing the other man. After all, his section had nothing to do with those who would rise through the ranks with whatever means they needed.
The word 'position' again.....he would never hear it the same way.
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Post by Nahara46 on Mar 31, 2013 21:14:39 GMT -5
"Politics are so dull, there so many more interesting things in life. My profession keeps me on my toes, never a dull moment..." She paused before adding, "Except, of course, for dull goblin articles." However, she winked as she said this. Gisele wasn't too serious about keeping her cover, and knew that her words had finally gotten through. She smirked even wider.
"Please know that, if you ever require a... reporter, you do not hesitate to give me a call. I'd be quite happy to fulfill your needs."
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Post by G. Novella on Mar 31, 2013 21:25:42 GMT -5
This time, John found his face flushing slightly, unsure if he'd ever be able to take a reporter seriously again. This woman made it impossible to think he would. Instead, he nodded politely as he said, "I don't believe I require a reporter's service any time soon, Miss Ivy. Thank you, however, for the offer. Some wine, perhaps?"
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Post by ginnyrules27 on Mar 31, 2013 21:28:47 GMT -5
August willed himself to just keep silent, to not draw attention to himself. The way his embarrassment was acting up, he'd be lucky if he didn't start acting like an idiot. He had to act presentable, or he'd never be able to show his face at the Ministry again.
Nor would he take a member of the press as he usually did without fear of such tactics. Was this a new ploy reporters used? To make their interviewies so embarrassed that they'd answer questions they wouldn't dream of?
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Post by Nahara46 on Mar 31, 2013 21:30:41 GMT -5
Despite his initial decline, Gisele saw potential in this boy. He definitely appeared to have connections and such- he would be a good target. Plus, she always loved playing with the oblivious ones, it always was such great fun.
"What a pity, I would've enjoyed working with a nice man such as yourself... Yes, I would love some wine!"
She glanced toward August and offhandedly commented, "How about yourself? How has a fine man such as you fit into the complex web that is politics?"
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Post by ginnyrules27 on Mar 31, 2013 21:47:41 GMT -5
Willing himself to take a breath so he wouldn't ruin his reputation, August couldn't help the slight reddening of his cheeks.
"I'm afraid my division of the Ministry is rather obscure," he told her with a polite smile. "I work near the Department of Mysteries, testing potions for potential use. It's actually quite interesting."
Turning to John, he joked, "Will you be serving the Ministry-issued wine or the good stuff they hide from us?"
While not a heavy drinker, even he could admit the alcohol given at Ministry banquets was less than subpar.
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Post by G. Novella on Mar 31, 2013 21:55:32 GMT -5
John gave August a sardonic smile as he moved to get some wine from the trays. Only two glasses. He offered each to the two he was talking to as he said, "I'm afraid even the Head of the Auror Department isn't privy to that sort of information. And August is being modest. It's his potions that help change the world. I mean, without his contributions we'd be lost. Brilliant man, August. How's your daughter by the way? I believe she's grown up now a bit? I don't see her in the crowd." Again displaying his ignorance, he turned to the woman he believed was Ivy and asked, "Perhaps you know August's daughter. You'd have gone to Hogwarts together I presume."
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Post by Nahara46 on Mar 31, 2013 21:58:21 GMT -5
"Ooh, Potioneering!" Gisele replied brightly, "I was never one for the subject, I can put together a few good potions, though my mother hardly ever let my cook, she knew it wouldn't turn out well if I even touched it!" Then she grinned at the man,
"However, I can think of several more interesting potions that I do make use of that I have become quite adept at cooking up... Say, you got any fun research up there that would be useful for spicing things up? I'm sure you'd enjoy playing around with them, and I'd love to experiment."
Following August's look to John, she added, "I do hope it's the good stuff! I love a good drink of wine, always makes me feel much more cozier. Adds that pinch of life to the day!"
As John changed the subject, Gisele was quick to reply. "What was her name? I got to know many of the students quite well, perhaps I knew her as well."
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Post by ginnyrules27 on Mar 31, 2013 22:04:06 GMT -5
Taking a glass from John, August noted that the other man wasn't joining them but he didn't inquire about it. Probably Head Auror policy about drinking at social events or some rot like that. He did smile at the comments made by John about his job.
"I'm not one for experimenting with potions," he said upon hearing Ivy's comment. "It took me too long to learn how to make regular potions without them blowing up in my face that I'm not keen on them happening again."
Taking a sip of wine, August smiled at the mention of his daughter. "Alice is fine, but growing way too fast for my liking. The reason you don't see her in the crowd is because she's attending Helena Black's ball in my stead."
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Post by Nahara46 on Mar 31, 2013 22:08:08 GMT -5
"What a pity," She said sadly, "I'm always curious about what new inventions I can use to make life all that more interesting.:
"Hmm..." Gisele hummed thoughtfully as she took a sip of wine, "The names sounds familiar, but I'm afraid I don't recall bumping into her at hogwarts. I'll have to meet her at some point, see if I recognize her."
Then she noticed that John was not drinking up. Frowning childishly, she inquired, "Now John, why ever are you not tasting this delicious wine?"
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Post by G. Novella on Mar 31, 2013 22:14:59 GMT -5
John easily brushed off the question of the wine, a bit disappointed that Ivy hadn't known August's daughter. He'd hoped it would have been a distraction from his lack of alcohol. Carefully he said, "I'm not a fan of wines and champagnes. They simply do not suit my palate. But don't allow that to deter you."
Turning to August he nodded as he said, "Yes, I've heard of Miss Black. I can't remember if my sister was to attend or not. She's quite famous in the social world. Charming woman. Will you be joining your daughter when the ball ends?"
John didn't add how he knew Mrs Black. He doubted she'd want people to know that he'd had to investigate her husband's death due to the suspicious nature of it. Not now the case had been closed due to a lack of leads and the prime suspect had been her. Somehow he doubted that was worth discussing in polite society.
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Post by Nahara46 on Mar 31, 2013 22:21:19 GMT -5
"Don't worry," Gisele gave him a wryly smile, "It takes a lot more then a peculiar aversion to wine to deter me."
As the two men began to speak of the ball hosted by Helena Black, Gisele found herself listening. She had not received an invitation herself, having not any connection to the hostess, so she was curious as to how it was going. Also, Gisele had heard the rumors of the later Mr. Black due to her connections, so she had always wondered about it. Not that she blamed the woman, after all, they weren't very different. Gisele chose to stay silent at the moment, slowly sipping on the wine as she listened to the conversation.
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Post by ginnyrules27 on Mar 31, 2013 22:27:03 GMT -5
"Alice and I have arranged to spend a little time back at the manor once our separate events end," August said to John. "Please, feel free to join us though I warn you, Alice isn't one for social events like balls. Honestly, I think she got it from her mother."
And me, he thought. But the one thing you never did in the world of Politics was give information away like that. A little false truth was better than the whole story to a reporter.
"Miss Black does seem to be a charming woman from what I've heard," he continued. Turning to Ivy, he smiled gently at her. "Well, there are several hundred students at Hogwarts. What house were you in? Maybe that will jog your memory?"
He took another sip of wine, actually finding it rather enjoyable this time.
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Post by Nahara46 on Mar 31, 2013 22:32:09 GMT -5
Gisele considered this for a moment, after all, she hadn't actually gone to Hogwarts. While it was true that she'd known several students from the school, not nearly on the scale she'd eluded to. Smiling she replied, "Why Slytherin, of course." Considering how they'd spoken about the girl, she doubted this Alice would have been in slytherin. Hopefully that meant she wouldn't be expected to know her.
"I do sympathize with your daughter however, while I do find it enjoyable to socialize, I've never enjoyed a large ball where I hardly know anyone."
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Post by ginnyrules27 on Mar 31, 2013 22:39:07 GMT -5
While not anti-Slytherin, August still had to will himself not to glare at the woman. His wife had been a Slytherin after all. "No wonder you never bumped into Alice, she was in Ravenclaw. First Spinnett to be anything other than Hufflepuff, by the way."
"Yes, that seems to be Alice's take on balls and other social events," August sighed, not mentioning that it took the potential bribe of an entire library to get Alice to go to the ball she was currently attending.
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Post by G. Novella on Mar 31, 2013 22:46:47 GMT -5
John nodded, empathizing completely with this Alice girl. Quietly he added, "Social events are such a pain in the-
He cut himself off, glancing at Ivy. While unconventional, she was still a woman, and that sort of language would not be polite. Instead, he changed the topic to Giselle as he replied, "So you were a Slytherin then? I fear I was a Gryffindor, I hope you don't take offense. So what subjects do you enjoy besides Potions?"
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Post by Nahara46 on Mar 31, 2013 22:51:37 GMT -5
"Ah, yes, I wouldn't have know her then. I mostly interacted with my own house really."
"A pain in the arse indeed," Gisele finished his sentence cheerfully, not remotely phased.
"Gryffindor?" She frowned dramatically, "How dreadful!" However, she then smiled to make sure he could tell she was joking. "Oh no, don't mistake my interest as a liking of potions- I wad dreadful at it! My interest lie in dueling and charms. I simply love to have a nice duel once in awhile, which my brother is always happy to oblige. I've even beating him a few times, though the so-called prodigy is such a git he claims he was going easy on me." She shook her head, annoyed. "I swear, I'm going to murder that prat one day."
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Post by ginnyrules27 on Mar 31, 2013 22:59:41 GMT -5
"Probably not the best thing to say in front of the Head Auror," August said with an amused smile. "But you must be a good duelist if you've beaten your brother."
Quickly noting that one was a Slytherin and one was a Gryffindor, he quickly spoke up, "I hope there'll be no comments about Hufflepuff between the two of you. Speaking as a former Badger of course, I'd like to say that we are pretty mean when we want to be."
He put on a friendly smile so no one would tell how serious he was about the subject.
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Post by Nahara46 on Mar 31, 2013 23:03:32 GMT -5
"I'd say it is the perfect thing to say in front of the Head Auror," Gisele responded, glancing slyly at him. "After all, my tracks would be so well covered, you might just need the hint to find the culprit." She winked at him then, laughing slightly.
"Don't worry, 'O Honorable Bagder, I've met my fair share of feisty Hufflepuffs, they've never failed to deliver.... Well, once or twice. But every house has their idiots. Except Ravenclaw, which has it's prats."
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Post by ginnyrules27 on Mar 31, 2013 23:07:49 GMT -5
Was it sad that August wanted to revert to being a child and stick his fingers in his ears after hearing the words 'feisty Hufflepuffs' come out of Ivy's mouth? Just the thought made him want to curl into a ball and shudder.
"I'll take that into consideration if ever I need to commit a crime," he told her in response to her first statement.
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Post by eskimoRock on Apr 1, 2013 11:00:09 GMT -5
"Well, it doesn't look like the conversation is going too badly." Albert sighed. "If I need to, I can go in and rescue him, fabricate an emergency or something. She's bad news, that one."
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 1, 2013 11:20:22 GMT -5
Alexander nodded, but his eyes were hard as he stared at Giselle before turning away. He smiled warmly at Fawley as he said, "So tell me about Mr. Longbottom. Hearing about a man like that in the media isn't the same as hearing about him from his friends, now is it? Can I interest you in another glass of wine before we begin?"
John raised an eyebrow at Giselle. For a Slytherin, she was far too brave. He could easily see the lioness in her. It made him uneasy. He had no idea how to act around a woman like this! He was used to the typical ladies asking for marriage proposals, not covert suggestiveness for meaningless passion. Of course, he wasn't sure if he interpreted Giselle right. Maybe this tactic was something reporters used nowadays. Maybe she hid her modest behind something like this. Now he was just fishing.
"Well, as Head Auror it's my duty to protect your brother from your wiles," said John with a nod, "So, who's the brother, Miss Ivy?"
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Post by eskimoRock on Apr 1, 2013 11:32:14 GMT -5
"He's a very good boss." Albert smiled. "I was struggling to advance in the department under the last head, because he was very much set in his ways. Didnt approve of me experimenting with techniques. John was promoted, and he revolutionised the department! He's a very intelligent man, dedicated to his work."
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 1, 2013 11:43:53 GMT -5
Alexander nodded, appreciating Albert's honesty as he listened to him praise John. The man considered his question before he said, "I've always wondered why a man like him doesn't marry. He'd have any woman he wants knocking on his door. Myself, I'm a fickle man with fickle wants and needs. The rumors I hear, he has a secret mistress, he has a secret master, they seem so outrageous."
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Post by eskimoRock on Apr 1, 2013 11:52:42 GMT -5
Albert laughed. "There'll always be rumours, after all he is head of an important family. The fact that he's unmarried appears to be a scandal! But I've always gotten the impression that he's just not interested in anything like marriage. It gives him more time for his work and family, being unattached."
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 1, 2013 13:07:38 GMT -5
"I see," said Alexander, before turning a smile to Albert, "And how about yourself? Do you feel that family is important to your career, or that marriage is detrimental? Forgive me for asking such a forward question, but I've always wondered how different men think. It helps understand the world much better, don't you feel?"
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Post by eskimoRock on Apr 1, 2013 13:12:26 GMT -5
"I think family is important, yes." Albert smiled. "The children are at Hogwarts and Sophia does a lot socially, so they're never neglected, and I want our world to be a safer place for them. I completely agree with your point though, extra knowledge never hurt anybody."
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